False Claims Target Kathnoruwa Siridhamma Thero and President Anura, Investigation Reveals

False claims circulate on social media about revered Buddhist monk Siridhamma Thero

A series of fabricated posts targeting Venerable Kathnoruwe Siridhamma Thero have been spreading across social media platforms, prompting fact-checkers to investigate their authenticity.

Venerable Siridhamma Thero, known for his contributions to Buddhism both locally and internationally, has become the subject of several misleading claims that have gained traction on Facebook and WhatsApp in recent weeks.

One widely shared post attributed a politically charged statement to the respected monk: “Never tell lies. You can see what has happened to you now, Mr President. Your own Facebook page has now become your enemy. The posts you made 2 or 3 years ago now have to be deleted by you. You came to power through lies, and you will end through those same lies.”

The post implied that the monk had criticized the current president during a sermon, suggesting political consequences for alleged dishonesty. Despite receiving numerous shares and comments, a thorough review of Siridhamma Thero’s recent sermons found no evidence of such statements.

“If such a statement had actually been made by the Thero, video evidence would likely be circulating alongside these text-based claims,” noted investigators from Fact Crescendo, who conducted the verification. “No such video has emerged.”

In addition to the fabricated political commentary, other posts falsely claimed that the monk was suffering from poor health. One such post, shared on March 7, included a photo suggesting illness and a link purportedly providing more details about his condition. However, upon investigation, the link contained no information about any health issues.

This isn’t the first time false health claims have targeted Siridhamma Thero. Similar misinformation has previously circulated on social media, which the monk himself has publicly refuted through his official accounts. Recent announcements about upcoming sermons, including one scheduled for March 18, further contradict claims about his ill health.

When contacted by fact-checkers, the monk’s official coordinator confirmed that both the political statement and the health concerns were entirely fabricated. “The Thero is in good health and has made no such statements,” the coordinator stated.

Digital forensic analysis suggests that the false posts were created by misappropriating the formats of several prominent Facebook pages and using the monk’s image to lend credibility to the fabricated content. This technique is a common tactic used to spread misinformation on social media platforms.

Religious figures often become targets of misinformation campaigns, particularly when their words carry significant weight in both spiritual and social spheres. Venerable Siridhamma Thero’s extensive following and influence in preserving Buddhist teachings have made him especially vulnerable to such fabrications.

Social media users are advised to verify information through official channels and to exercise caution when encountering posts that attribute politically charged statements to religious figures. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation in digital spaces and the importance of fact-checking before sharing content.

Fact Crescendo has labeled these circulating claims as “False” after their comprehensive investigation found no supporting evidence for the attributed statements or health concerns regarding Venerable Kathnoruwe Siridhamma Thero.