copenlu/druid huggingface dataset:
Claim: An Organized Criminal Group Posing As Government Officials For TIN Registration in Sri Lanka! (Social Media Users, 2024-01-06)
Evidence (2023-01-01): Political leadership and governance in Sri Lanka have both been under scrutiny due to the country's internal debates on the severity of organized crime, and its refusal to cooperate with international investigations into human rights violations. Citizen trust in the government has decreased dramatically, due to rampant corruption and a lack of transparency and accountability. The government's disregard for the rule of law, and the increased complicity of state-embedded actors in criminal activities, have allowed organized criminal groups to thrive. Public frustration led to mass protests in 2022, exacerbating the country’s instability. Even though several government officials resigned in the wake of the protests, and a constitutional reform was promulgated that reduces the powers of the executive, these changes were not perceived to be stringent enough to promote trust and accountability. Despite calls for greater transparency, there has been a significant disconnect between the government's actions and what the people desire. In fact, Sri Lanka's institutional structure has been designed to evade accountability, which has influenced financial crimes. The country’s reputation for corruption and human rights violations continues to hamper its talks with the International Monetary Fund.
Claim: An Organized Criminal Group Posing As Government Officials For TIN Registration in Sri Lanka! (Social Media Users, 2024-01-06)
Evidence (2024-01-07): No Evidence of An Organized Criminal Group Posing as Government Officials for TIN Registration! [...] Our search for media reports on the claimed organised group posing as government officials for TIN registration yielded no relevant results. There were no credible news articles or reports supporting the social media claims. [...] Title:No Evidence of An Organized Criminal Group Posing as Government Officials for TIN Registration !
Claim: An Organized Criminal Group Posing As Government Officials For TIN Registration in Sri Lanka! (Social Media Users, 2024-01-06)
Evidence (2024-07-10): □ TIN has been applied for. [...] (3) The Government has validated all mandatory data fields, to include validation of the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The offeror will be required to provide consent for TIN validation to the Government as a part of the SAM registration process; and (4) The Government has marked the record "Active". [...] REPSHIP FOR T.O. 81 JUN 01
Claim: An Organized Criminal Group Posing As Government Officials For TIN Registration in Sri Lanka! (Social Media Users, 2024-01-06)
Evidence (1998-01-01): In Sri Lanka, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) showed no signs of abandoning their campaign to cripple the Sri Lankan economy and target government officials. The group retains its ability to strike in the heart of Colombo, as demonstrated by an October bomb attack on the World Trade Center in the financial district that was reminiscent of the January 1996 truck bomb attack that destroyed the Central Bank. The LTTE was designated a foreign terrorist organization in October pursuant to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2020-12-03): Our investigation reveals that the person seen in the viral video assaulting the woman is the Chief Engineer of the Udugampola office of the Western Provincial Road Development Authority. He is currently under police custody.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-06): COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years, after he was found guilty of one of the charges in a case filed for threatening a businessman. The Colombo High Court also imposed a fine of Rs. 25 Million on the Minister and ordered him to pay Rs. 1 Million as compensation. [...] The Minister's wife and another person who were also charged in the case, were acquitted and released from all charges by the Colombo High Court Judge.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-06): Prasanna Ranatunga - whose elder brother Arjuna captained the country's cricket World Cup winning team - was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and fined 25 million Sri Lankan rupees (S$95,000). [...] As well as the suspended jail term and fine, High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered Ranatunga to pay the man 1 million rupees in compensation. [...] Ranatunga is a major ally of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and serves as his chief government whip in parliament.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-19): The High Court judge Manjula Tillakaratne observed in his 52-page judgement that it was an abuse of state and political power inherent in Prasanna Ranatunga’s official position as the then Chief Minister of the Western Province, for him to have threatened the businessman in this obscene manner to instil fear into the complainant. [...] The counsel for Prasanna, Anil Silva PC, pleading in mitigation of sentence, stated: ‘His house in Udugampola was completely destroyed during the recent incidents. As a result, his daughter’s wedding was also delayed, and she is also suffering from depression at the moment. My client is a Cabinet Minister. The world would believe that Sri Lanka cannot maintain a stable Cabinet if he was to be severely punished. On behalf of the country, I request a lesser sentence for the charges against him.’ [...] Nay, while it is true that a man is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty, once he is found guilty by a competent court, he remains guilty until he proves his innocence to the satisfaction of a superior court. Prasanna Ranatunga lost his innocence on June 6 when the High Court judge pronounced him guilty of extortion and will remain a convicted extortionist until the day the Appeal or Supreme Court quashes the High Court verdict and frees him from the stain, releases him from the burden of carrying the cross of guilt.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2023-05-26): COLOMBO (News 1st); Two people were arrested for assaulting a police officer assigned to the security detail of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and another individual in Pansilgoda, Minuwangoda on Thursday (25) evening. [...] A police officer assigned to the security detail of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, and a staff member detailed to the Minister were injured and were admitted to the Gampaha Base Hospital. [...] Speaking to News 1st, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the incident had taken place at a land that belongs to the Reggie Ranatunga Foundation.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2024-10-08): Five-judge bench to hear Prasanna Ranatungas appeal against conviction [...] The Court of Appeal on Wednesday (01 Nov.) decided to take up an appeal filed by Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, seeking the revocation of a prison sentence handed tohim in relation to the Meethotamulla land dispute. [...] Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment suspended for a period of five years by the Colombo High Court in June 2022, in the case filed against him over the Meethotamulla land dispute.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2024-03-13): A recent statement attributed to Prasanna Ranatunga, the Urban Development and Housing Minister of Sri Lanka, and publicised by the A5 News Facebook page prompted the drafting of this article. Whether Ranatunga’s statement was a misguided attempt to mislead the younger generation born post-1980 remains unclear. Many of them might be unaware of the role played by President JR Jayewardene’s regime during that period, which led to two insurrections, one by the JVP under the Desha Vimukthi Vyaparaya in the South, and a decades-long armed conflict in the North and East. [...] • Mr Siresena Cooray, Mayor of Colombo and a protégé of Premadasa who filled the Ceylon Transport Board with his thugs; and • Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe, (the Current President) at the time, Minister of Education and Youth Affairs. While there is no direct evidence of his involvement, his trusted assistant Gonawela Sunil and members of Sunil’s gang did participate.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-06): Prasanna Ranatunga -- whose elder brother Arjuna captained the country's cricket World Cup winning team -- was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and fined 25 million Sri Lankan rupees ($68,500). [...] As well as the suspended jail term and fine, High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne ordered Ranatunga to pay the man one million rupees (2,700 US dollars) in compensation. [...] Ranatunga is a major ally of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and serves as his chief government whip in parliament.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-07): Prasanna sentenced by HC, no impact on MP seat 07 Jun 2022
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2024-10-07): Colombo High Court has sentenced Minister Prasanna Ranatunga for two years RI suspended for five years in the case threatening a businessman and allegedly extorting funds in a land dispute. [...] Announcing the verdict of a case filed in the Colombo High Court in connection with a case of extorting Rs. 64 million from a businessman, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was found guilty by the Colombo High Court. [...] Accordingly, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was found guilty of the charge of signing a promissory note.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-07): The Colombo High Court yesterday sentenced Minister Prasanna Ranatunga to a two-year rigorous imprisonment, suspended for five years, after he was found guilty of one of the charges in a case filed for intimidating an individual and extortion over a land dispute. [...] The Attorney General had filed an indictment against the former Western Province Chief Minister Ranatunga before the Colombo High Court in May 2016, accusing him of threatening a businessman in connection with the transactions of a land in Meethotamulla of 322 perches. [...] The case was heard against incumbent Urban Development and Housing Minister Ranatunga, his wife and a relative of the wife for allegedly extorting the funds during Ranatunga’s tenure as the Chief Minister of the Western Province.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-12): Prasanna Ranatunga misused CM powers and privileges to extort Rs. 64mn: Judge Minister Prasanna Ranatunga had misused the powers and privileges of his chief ministerial office in the case filed against him over threatening a businessman, Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne has noted in his judgement on the case. The Attorney General had filed indictments on 15 counts against Prasanna Ranatunga, his wife Maureen Ranatunga and Naresh Kumar Fareek over threatening a businessman – Christian Gerad Mendis and demanding Rs 64 million from him through several cheques. The offence had been committed when Mr Ranatunga was Chief Minister of the Western Province.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2024-10-04): Prasanna Ranatunga (born 1 January 1967) is a Sri Lankan politician, member of parliament, a former Minister of Urban Development and Housing. He was also appointed as the Chief Government Whip on 18 April 2022.[1][2] He was the 7th Chief Minister of Western Province, Sri Lanka. [...] - ^ "UPFA confident of victory at LG Polls - Prasanna Ranatunga". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2012. - ^ Western Province Prasaana Ranatunga Archived 17 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine - ^ "Prasanna Ranatunga sentenced to 2-year RI, suspended for five years". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-07): Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was also acquitted of all other charges filed against him while he was convicted only of the 13th charge mentioned in the indictment. [...] The Attorney General (AG) had filed indictments against Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, his wife Maureen Ranatunga and a third person, on the charge of threatening a businessman by demanding the balance sum out of Rs. 64 million. The Attorney General filed indictments on 15 counts against the three accused, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, his spouse Maureen Ranatunga and Naresh Kumar Fareek, based on charges of committing offences between April 6, 2015 and June 2, 2015.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-06-06): Minister of Urban Development and Housing Prasanna Ranatunga was today sentenced to two-year imprisonment suspended for five years by Colombo High Court over an indictment filed by the Attorney General. Minister Ranatunga was convicted for the thirteenth count out of fifteen by High Court Judge Manjula Tillekaratne over an indictment filed for threatening a businessman over the phone and demanding Rs.64 million in 2015. [...] Meanwhile, Maureen Ranatunge, the wife of Minister Ranatunga and Naresh Kumar Fareek second and third accused respectively were acquitted and released from all charges filed against them.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2022-04-21): Since November 24th, a video showing a female officer in Udugampola being assaulted by a man is being shared widely on social media. Many of the users who shared this video raised concerns over such an act and sought details of the incident and inquired whether there was some political plot behind it. Some of […] Since November 24th, a video showing a female officer in Udugampola being assaulted by a man is being shared widely on social media. [...] Our investigation reveals that the person seen in the viral video assaulting the woman is the Chief Engineer of the Udugampola office of the Western Provincial Road Development Authority. He is currently under police custody.
Claim: Did A ‘Political Thug’ Of Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Assault A Woman Officer At The Udugampola Provincial RDA Office? (Social Media Users, 2020-12-03)
Evidence (2020-12-04): Since November 24th, a video showing a female officer in Udugampola being assaulted by a man is being shared widely on social media. Many of the...
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2023-12-10): In conclusion, the wood apple chocolate innovation results from Suchindra Dilumge's entrepreneurial spirit and expertise, and there is no link to Akuressa Co-op or NPP. We encourage social media users to focus on accurate information, acknowledge the achievements of individuals like Suchindra Dilumge, and verify details before sharing to avoid the spread of misinformation.
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2024-07-24): Construction of a five-storied building by the Akuressa Multipurpose Co-op Society controlled by an NPP group for a hospital commenced yesterday (17). The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by National Executive Member of the NPP Vijitha Herath, Chairman W.TK Rajapaksa, Southern Provincial Cooperative Development Commissioner K.P.G. Sumith Shantha, Officials of the Cooperative Department, Dr. SANJEEWA GARUSINGHE; Neuro Surgeon, National Hospital Colombo, Akurassa District Hospital Medical Superintendent Manaka Vidanapathirana, Senior Doctors, Divisional Secretaries of Akurassa, Athuraliya, Malimbada Divisional Secretariats, the business community, Members of the Akuressa Cooperative Society and its staff, guests and a large crowd. Gampaha, District Member of Parliament of the NPP Vijitha Herath, emphasized that the country’s recovery can be achieved if the masses stand up with the right leadership, commitment, and teamwork. He said Akurassa Cooperative has set an example by providing services and making a profit in a bankrupt country. He said it is a good example to show that even cooperatives can be used to recover the country if they are led by the correct leadership.
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2024-07-18): The Akuressa Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) has initiated the construction of a five-story hospital at a cost of Rs. 170 million in Akuressa. The foundation stone was laid by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Vijitha Herath. [...] He noted that the Akuressa Cooperative Society is setting an example with this endeavor. [...] The Akuressa MPCS, chaired by W.T.K. Rajapaksa and a JVP-led committee for nearly 20 years, has earned profits amounting to Rs. 2 billion, which will be utilized for the construction of the hospital. (Newswire)
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2021-01-11): The Akuressa Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) chaired by W. T. K. Rajapaksa won comprehensively at its election yesterday. Of the 58 Co-operative Societies of the Akuressa MPCS, Rajapaksa and his allies backed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led ‘Committee to Safeguard the Cooperative Movement’ gained 38. Of the 100 representatives elected, 70 are from the Rajapaksa camp. A tense situation arose when the results of the tightly contested election was announced as Rajapaksa and his team made a clean sweep winning all nine seats. [...] Today, the Akuressa MPCS holds assets worth over Rs. 3,000 million including investments in retail outlets, a restaurant, a tea estate and a public transport venture. Rajapaksa said that a hospital was on the cards and a land had already been purchased in this regard.
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2021-01-11): A group backed by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was unable to oust the sitting board of the Akuressa Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MPCS) chaired by W.T.K. Rajapaksa at its election held on Saturday. [...] A tense situation arose when the results of the tightly contested Akuressa Cooperative Society election was announced, with Rajapaksa and his team making a clean sweep, winning all nine slots. [...] Today the Akuressa MPCS has assets of over Rs. 3 billion, including investments in retail outlets, a restaurant, a tea estate, and public transport. Rajapaksa said that a hospital was on the cards and the required land had already been purchased.
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2024-09-17): Speaking at a rally in Akuressa as part of NPP’s presidential campaign, Dissanayake explained his plans to reduce electricity bills and offer financial support of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 17,500 for struggling families.
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2024-03-21): Akuressa (Sinhalese: අකුරැස්ස) is located in Matara District of the Southern Province. It is located on the Matara–Deniyaya road, approximately 23.6 km (14.7 mi) from Matara and 39.7 km (24.7 mi) from Galle.[1] The surrounding areas produce tea, coconut, rubber and agricultural products such as rice. Akuressa is surrounded by small towns such as Imaduwa, Pitabaddara, Algiriya, Kamburupitiya, Makandura. Many state institutions are situated in the town such as the district hospital, a police station and schools.[2]
Claim: The research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product !! (Social Media Users, 2023-12-10)
Evidence (2023-12-13): A viral social media post claims that the research unit of Akuressa Coop, led by NPP, has developed a novel wood apple mixed chocolate product. [...] Contrary to the misleading social media posts, there is no evidence linking Akuressa Coop or NPP to Dilumge's woodapple chocolate. The Chairman of Akuressa Coop confirms that they have not produced any such chocolate product. Akuressa Coop has not produced such a product, and the misinformation disassociates Dilumge from the credit he deserves. [...] Title:Innovative Wood apple Chocolate Products by Suchindra Dilumge, Not Linked to Akuressa Co-op or NPP
Claim: Beware Of Hoax WhatsApp Message Asking To Register For Free Laptops Offered By The Government… (WhatsApp Users, 2020-12-09)
Evidence (2020-12-09): From our more investigation, we can confirm that the message being shared on WhatsApp and other messaging platforms claiming that the government is providing free laptops for youth and requesting to register via and external website link is fake. Government of Sri Lanka has also advised users not to fall for such frauds.
Claim: Beware Of Hoax WhatsApp Message Asking To Register For Free Laptops Offered By The Government… (WhatsApp Users, 2020-12-09)
Evidence (2024-01-19): A viral WhatsApp message asking you to apply for Students Laptop Scheme 2024 is a scam; there is no official announcement or information from any government or educational authority about such a scheme. A viral WhatsApp message claiming to offer students free laptops through the "Students Laptop Scheme 2024" is a hoax. [...] 211 Check has found out that the viral WhatsApp message claiming to offer free laptops to students through a government scheme for 2024 is a hoax. There is no legitimate information or official announcement about such a scheme, and the website linked in the message is likely a ploy to collect personal information fraudulently.
Claim: Beware Of Hoax WhatsApp Message Asking To Register For Free Laptops Offered By The Government… (WhatsApp Users, 2020-12-09)
Evidence (2021-06-04): WhatsApp hijack scam continues to spread [...] What should you look out for? You may be a target of the scam if you receive an SMS text message with a six-digit WhatsApp code that you were not expecting.