President’s Alleged May Day Rally in Nuwara Eliya: Claims Debunked

Social media posts circulating about the National People’s Power’s May Day rally in Nuwara Eliya have been debunked as false, according to a recent fact-checking investigation.

Following International Workers’ Day, the National People’s Power (NPP) organized May Day rallies across 21 locations throughout Sri Lanka. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake led the commemoration in the Nuwara Eliya district, which became the subject of misleading social media claims.

The first misleading claim involved photographs purportedly showing “a massive crowd at the Nuwara Eliya May Day rally,” suggesting an exceptional turnout at this year’s event. However, a reverse image search revealed these images were actually taken at a campaign rally in Kurunegala on September 10, 2024, during Dissanayake’s presidential election campaign—not at the recent May Day event.

Fact-checkers reviewed footage from the actual Nuwara Eliya event, held at the Cinecitta Grounds under the theme “People’s Power for the Republic.” Their analysis confirmed that the venue setup did not match what was depicted in the viral images, noting differences in stage configuration and media positioning. Official photos from the event showed media personnel positioned on the ground in front of the stage rather than on elevated platforms as suggested in the misleading posts.

In response to these fabricated images, some social media users claimed the NPP was using old photographs to mask allegedly poor attendance at this year’s Nuwara Eliya rally. However, video footage and authentic photographs from the 2026 event showed substantial crowds in attendance, contradicting these claims.

A second false claim involved a fabricated quote attributed to President Dissanayake. Social media posts alleged he stated at the rally that “This government was built by, and continues to protect, the people of the North and the hill country communities.”

Investigation of the President’s full speech revealed he actually said, “This government was built by and continues to protect the people of this country who bring government victory.” This was confirmed through official video footage and reporting from mainstream media outlets including Sirasa and Newsfirst.

Analysis showed that the false quote was created by manipulating a Newsfirst-style graphic, editing the President’s original statement to create divisive content suggesting preferential treatment for certain ethnic communities.

The NPP, which formed the government following Dissanayake’s presidential victory, has been the subject of increasing scrutiny and misinformation campaigns on social media platforms. Political analysts note that such targeted disinformation typically intensifies during politically significant events like May Day rallies, which traditionally serve as important political showcases in Sri Lanka.

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of misinformation in Sri Lankan politics, where manipulated media and false attributions are increasingly used to shape public perception around major political figures and events. Media literacy experts emphasize the importance of verifying sources and cross-checking information before sharing content on social platforms.

Local authorities continue to monitor and respond to the spread of political misinformation, which has become a persistent issue in the country’s digital media landscape.