copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: Dilith Jayaweera’s Withdrawal from Presidential Race !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-11)
Evidence (2024-09-05): However, the upcoming Presidential election is characterised by an unprecedented trend of party crossovers and changes in political loyalties. [31] It is reported that about 130 of SLPP’s 145 elected/appointed MPs have switched sides joining either the current President, SJB or Dilith Jayaweera’s Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) ahead of the election. [32] As "the single largest switching of allegiance in Sri Lanka’s political history," a record nearly 100 SLPP MPs have pledged their support to the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe. [33] Although, the repercussions of these defections will be revealed only after 21 September, yet it has definitely weakened the morale of the SLPP. Poll surveys conducted last year also stated a change in the voting pattern of Sri Lankans where it is estimated that an overwhelming majority of the SLPP voters have shifted their support to NPP or SJB with the maximum people preferred the former over the latter. [34] The reason behind this is that a large number of Sri Lankans held the wrong policies of the Rajapaksas responsible for the economic catastrophe in the country in 2022. [...] [36] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/rajapaksas-party-decides-against-backing-ranil-in-presidential-election/article68463561.ece [37] https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/unprecedented-crossovers-in-sri-lankas-presidential-race/
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-08-10): The viral photo and associated claims are misleading. The welfare program in the photo took place before the election announcement and the activation of election laws. Therefore, Sajith Premadasa did not violate any election regulations.And photo does not depict teacher's summit.It's a photo of the teachers of Mahagamasekara school.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2021-09-23): The expanding role of schools into the largest social-welfare providers in the country is not a new phenomenon, according to education historians like Campbell Scribner, who teaches at the University of Maryland.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-09-10): Colombo, September 10 (Daily Mirror)- Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa said he does not intend to make Sri Lanka a welfare state and will turn the poor into entrepreneurs.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-08-22): MP Sajith Premadasa’s remarks come after the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today ordered the National Election Commission to take measures to hold the postponed Local Government Elections, immediately.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-09-21): COLOMBO (News 1st): SJB Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa has highlighted the importance of adhering to election laws during this crucial election period.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-08-29): Sajith Premadasa’s leadership style is characterized by a hands-on approach and a deep commitment to the welfare of the people. His vision for Sri Lanka is reflected in the SJB manifesto, which promises to bring about meaningful change. Premadasa’s leadership is seen as a key factor in the SJB’s campaign, as he is widely regarded as a leader who can unite the country and steer it towards a brighter future.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-02-22): Sajith Premadasa’s 100th Sakvala school programme. [...] Sajith Premadasa’s ‘Sakvala’ program which clocked a century last week gives credible evidence that if elected, his will be ‘a Presidency of service’ as it were; intervening to bring tangible improvements which are both catalyst and multiplier. Manique Mendis puts it best: [...] …The results of the Sakwala program demonstrate that whilst being in the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa is opening doors to opportunity in the lives of children in Sri Lanka.’ (Vistas of opportunity for Sri Lankan children with "Suhuru" classrooms | Daily FT)
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-06-08): Daily on TV news (mainly Sirasa) we see Sajith Premadasa (SP) Sakwala සුහුරු පාසැල් (Smart School) programme donating some computer equipment to schools. A huge green banner with the Sakwala and Pathikada names and Sajith Premadasa Leader of the opposition title is shown daily. All the school children, Principal and staff, and parents attend the event lasting about two hours. Most of the time is covered by Sajith and other SJB politicians from the area making political speeches, About 10 minutes cover the opening of the computer lab. This event was supposed to be the 195th Sakwala program of "donations" [...] There is tremendous political benefit to Sajith from these events. To start with it is promoted as a school beneficial event and the school will ask the children to attend with their parents. It is held in a school hall and no cost is borne by Sajith for the event. In a normal political rally the politician must build or hire a stage and get the audience and incur significant cost. Here everything is free. Then the program is broadcast on Sirasa News or as a PATHIKADA (පැතිකඩ). Complete free publicity and getting across his political message and attacking his opponents.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2019-11-21): Sajith Premadasa, the son of former President Ranasighe Premadasa, is the current Opposition Leader of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Leader of the main opposition party, Samagi Jana Balawegaya. Sajith schooled at St. Thomas Preparatory College and Royal College, after which he sat for his O/L and A/L examinations at London’s Mill Hill School. He excelled at studies and extracurriculars, winning the A/L prize for politics and business studies while being a prefect and captaining the First XI Cricket Team of Mill Hill School.
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-08-12): Did Sajith Premadasa Violate Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School? [...] The viral photo and associated claims are misleading. The welfare program in the photo took place before the election announcement and the activation of election laws. Therefore, Sajith Premadasa did not violate any election regulations.And photo does not depict teacher's summit.It's a photo of the teachers of Mahagamasekara school. Title:Did Sajith Premadasa Violate Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School?
Claim: Sajith Violates Election Law by Holding a Welfare Program in a School !! (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-08-04): And then we have Mr Dissanayake’s explanation that no election laws had been violated by his attending the National Convention of Nurses in Maharagama. That was argued to be a trade union meeting organized by the ‘Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’ (JVP or the NPP’s political avatar as the case may be) which the NPP presidential candidate attended as a ‘guest’ (in actual fact, the ‘chief guest.’) [...] That only conjured up ugly reminders of the bane of politicization of the public sector which has crucified Sri Lanka for much of its post-independence history. And here again, the NPP’s Presidential candidate directed his annoyance at polls monitors questioning this spectacle by asking as to why fingers were not being pointed at political events held at schools or President Wickremesinghe’s whole host of state-sponsored welfare and development programmes which continue even after his entering the election fray as an ‘independent’ candidate.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-27): The viral letter attributed to Sujeewa Senasinghe, claiming that the SJB is willing to cooperate with Anura Kumara Dissanayake and that their election criticisms, is fake. The SJB media unit has confirmed that no such letter was issued, and the viral document contains discrepancies that prove it is not genuine. Social media users are advised not to fall for this misleading information, which appears part of a disinformation campaign.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-08-20): Colombo, August 20 (Daily Mirror) - Whilst highlighting that an unnecessary fuss is being made about Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s failure to shake hands with incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe during the nomination day, SJB Vice President Sujeewa Senasinghe said today that the former was not able to get up and greet the President as he was engaged in another matter during that time. "Some are making an unnecessary fuss about the matter. Besides, it would have been better if Wickremesinghe had greeted Premadasa by joining his hands. Greeting by saying ‘Ayubowan’ while joining his hands would have been a better way of greeting, as it is healthier and nicer. It is also the real Sri Lankan way of greeting," Senasighe told a media briefing. [...] Responding to a remark by NPP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake that Premadasa has acted in an egoistic manner by not shaking the President’s hands, Senasinghe said that Dissanayake has displayed his arrogance and hatred by making that remark.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-29): The Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ application by former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe against an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) into his income, expenses, and assets. Senasinghe argued that the Commission lacked the authority to initiate an investigation against him and to require him to submit an affidavit detailing his financial information. Consequently, he sought a writ from the Court of Appeal to quash the CIABOC’s order. During the hearing, preliminary objections were raised on behalf of the respondent Commission by a Senior Additional Solicitor General. After considering these objections, the Court of Appeal dismissed Senasinghe’s application, according to a release issued by CIABOC.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-10-08): United National Party (UNP) Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe claims that the letter sent to him by the party’s General Secretary is fake and has been sent with the intention of gaining ‘cheap publicity’. [...] In his letter, Senasinghe says that he believes it to be a bogus letter over the content of the letter being unprofessional and vague. [...] Complete letter of Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe:
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2018-01-28): Engaging in vituperative brinksmanship, at best, is amateurish. At worst, it is outright self-destructive and defeats the very purpose of your existence. You have to show them, as Mark Anthony orated about ‘ambition’ at the slaying of Julius Caesar, that you’re made of ‘sterner’ stuff. On the other hand, what Ranil Wickremesinghe, the leader of the United National Party (UNP) to which Sujeewa Senasinghe and Marikkar belong, has to contemplate is that the verbal attack aimed today at the President will one day come against him, the Prime Minister. It certainly is no comforting thought for any politician, veteran of novice. [...] Against such a punishing backdrop, the unity of the political entity which one contestant represents is of critical value. Sujeewa Senasinghe and Marikkar have done am immeasurable damage to the UNP and its leader. On another plain, Maithripala Sirisena has an inherent right as President of the country to expect, not unquestioned loyalty but conditional and decent fidelity to the office of Presidency. Sujeewa and Marikkar should have exercised that aspect of decency, propriety and civility.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-02-04): Following the Cabinet meeting, the President went to the party of President’s Counsel Iraj de Silva on Monday night. He is the son of President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Minister Harin Fernando, Minister Tiran Alles, Ruwan Wijewardene, Sagala Ratnayaka as well as Harsha de Silva and Sujeewa Senasinghe from the Opposition were also present. [...] Former State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe said that JVP’s political aim is clear and they just act without pressurising the Government on the burning issues of the people.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-10-08): The SJB Senior Vice President, Sujeewa Senasinghe said that the policy statement has now been finalized.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-02): Former minister Sujeeva Senasinghe said that he will file a lawsuit against Mr Anura Kumara Dissanayake for defamation. Sri Lanka Latest News Mr Senasinghe said that he could find out who the thieves were before the court and said that if he was found guilty, he would leave politics and go home.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-05-03): Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka did not play any role in organizing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) May Day rally and therefore he did not deserve any prominence, its Vice Chairman Sujeewa Senasinghe said yesterday. [...] Meanwhile Senasinghe said his party was given a small area to hold its rally and that prevented the SJB from showing its full strength. "Some of our party members were at Galle Face as they could not make it for the rally," he added.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-16): Dissanayake highlighted several false allegations made by his opponents, including claims from an SJB MP in Kandy that the NPP would stop the Kandy Perahera, and similar accusations in Kurunegala.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2015-07-19): Former Deputy Justice Minister, Colombo District UNP MP and COPE member, Sujeewa Senasinghe, in a scathing attack, has alleged that former Central Bank Governor Ajit Nivard Cabraal and Deputy Governor W.A. Wijewardena had drafted the contents of the COPE report on the now infamous Treasury Bond scandal. [...] "Sujeewa himself was wiser before he was summoned to the presence and asked to act as hatchet man at COPE. He told me in May that, though he disliked Ravi Karunanayake, he did not think he was primarily responsible. He did not name names, but like the rest of us I think he suspected that it was Ranil and Malik who were behind the whole scam. "Meanwhile looking through the evidene I find that the wild allegations both Sujeewa and Arjuna Mahendran were making are totally misplaced. They claimed that Perpetual Treasuries may have benefited because Cabraal’s sister was on the Board, but I find that in the period before February 27th, they placed 15 bids for bonds, for a total of 22 billion, and were successful only once, for 27 million rupees.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-29): The Court of Appeal has dismissed a writ application by former MP Sujeewa Senasinghe against an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) into his income, expenses, and assets. Senasinghe argued that the Commission lacked the authority to initiate an investigation against him and to require him to submit an affidavit detailing his financial information. Consequently, he sought a writ from the Court of Appeal to quash the CIABOC’s order. [...] AKD pledges to clean the stables -
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2018-06-16): Let’s get the facts out first. Sujeewa Senasinghe said that he communicated with Arjun Aloysius of Perpetual Treasuries Ltd (PTL) to obtain information for a book he wrote and published on the Central Bank bond issue. Some of the calls were made AFTER the book came out. Go figure! [...] Sujeewas Senasinghe said that he had no inkling about the donor at the time the money was received. Some of the money however had been received AFTER the elections were done. Go figure! [...] That’s it ladies and gentlemen. This is a circus. A spectacle. Sujeewas Senasinghe; is just one of many and he’s having a ball. The messiahs are pickpockets and brigands. The Promised Land is a cess-pit.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-08-20): Dissanayake is seeking Rs. 10 billion in compensation for alleged defamatory remarks made against him. [...] Dissanayake argues that this statement was intended to portray him as corrupt and acting with dishonest intentions, suggesting he receives large sums of money from abroad for ulterior motives. [...] Dissanayake's lawyers maintain that the accusations have caused significant harm to his reputation, prompting the substantial compensation claim of Rs. 10 Billion from the respondents.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-08-21): Former Parliamentarian Sujeewa Senasinghe yesterday (20) questioned the NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake as to how he is going to scrap the VAT, if he happens to be President. Senasinghe said that the NPP should tell the country as to how they will find the money to repay the debt.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2016-08-13): Minister of International Trade, Sujeewa Senasinghe has received an earful from senior COPE members for allegedly adopting an intimidating manner during the questioning of officials of Central Bank over the bond scam involving ex-Governor Arjuna Mahendran. [...] Sources said that it was obvious Senasinghe was trying to safeguard Mahendran, in the way he was questioning the witnesses. [...] When the Colombo Telegraph contacted Senasinghe, a member of his staff who answered his mobile said that the Minister was unavailable for comment and to call later.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-21): Sujeewa Senasinghe (Sinhala: සුජීව සේනසිංහ; born 13 December 1971) is a Sri Lankan lawyer and former politician.[1] He was a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the State Minister for International Trade until 2019.[2] [...] - ^ "SUJEEWA SENASINGHE". Directory of Members. Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 12 March 2013. [...] - ^ "Sujeewa Senasinghe steps down from Politics". News First. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-01): While AKD has taken the lead as the anti-corruption champion who will retrieve stolen assets, Premadasa has also made statements to the effect that he will not allow corruption within his ranks. AKD has retaliated to this statement saying that ‘economic assassins’ who had created the country’s downfall were now affiliated to Premadasa. [...] The JVP/NPP’s AKD launched his policy framework – ‘A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life’ – last Monday (26 August) with the pledge to introduce a new constitution and abolish the executive presidency if elected. "Our goal is to establish a new constitution that will replace the existing flawed structure and to abolish the executive presidency, which has concentrated too much power in the hands of one individual," he stated. [...] Premadasa loyalist MP Sujeewa Senasinghe, it is learnt, is also backing Godahewa on the anti-IMF stance. According to SJB sources, the likes of Godahewa continue to inform the SJB leadership that the economic stances of de Silva, Wickramaratne, and Hashim will not help him win the Presidential Election. Premadasa has been informed that he needs to adopt a strong stance against the IMF in order to attract voters from AKD’s camp.
Claim: In a letter to AKD, Sijeewa Senasinghe Said The Allegations They Made Against AKD Were Just Fabricated Stories and NOT Realities!! (Social Media Users, 2024-09-27)
Evidence (2024-09-27): Viral Letter Allegedly from SJB Election Operations Head Sujeewa Senasinghe is Fake [...] To verify the letter's authenticity further, we contacted the SJB media unit. According to their official response, the viral letter is fake. They clarified that the content attributed to Sujeewa Senasinghe was not true and that SJB had not issued any such statement. [...] The viral letter attributed to Sujeewa Senasinghe, claiming that the SJB is willing to cooperate with Anura Kumara Dissanayake and that their election criticisms, is fake. The SJB media unit has confirmed that no such letter was issued, and the viral document contains discrepancies that prove it is not genuine. Social media users are advised not to fall for this misleading information, which appears part of a disinformation campaign.
Claim: Kandy Dalada Perahera should be held Without Elephants - Harini Amarasuriya (Social Media Users, 2024-08-10)
Evidence (2024-08-10): The claims circulating on social media that Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated the Kandy Dalada Perahera would only be allowed without the use of elephants and that it should involve all ethnicities are false. These statements have not been made by Dr. Amarasuriya, and the misinformation appears to be intentionally misleading. Always verify the authenticity of such claims by checking credible sources or directly contacting the individual concerned before spreading information.