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| - Are Security Checkpoints Reestablished Near the President’s House and Temple Trees?
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After Anura Kumara Dissanayake became the President of Sri Lanka and Dr. Harini Amarasuriya assumed the role of Prime Minister, a surge of misleading and false information about their decisions and policies spread across social media. Many of these claims distort or misrepresent their official statements and actions, creating confusion among the public. Despite efforts by their offices to clarify these issues, the misinformation continues to circulate, fueling unnecessary political tension and misunderstandings about their leadership and governance plans.
Social Media Posts
Claim 1: Social media posts claim that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has decided to reestablish security barriers/checkpoints near the President’s House in Colombo, which were previously removed.
Claim 2: Another claim suggests that security checkpoints near the Prime Minister’s official residence, Temple Trees, are being reestablished due to recent security threats.
Fact Check
Claim 1: Security Checkpoints Reestablished Near the President’s House
Verification:
According to the President’s Media Division, security barriers/checkpoints near the President’s House in Colombo have not been recently removed. The barriers were not dismantled, so there is no need for reestablishment.
The media division clarified that what actually occurred was the opening of the road in front of the President’s Office to the public, which had been closed for security reasons for decades.
Media reports also confirmed the road opening but did not mention removing or reinstating security barriers at the President’s House. Details can be taken here and here
Upon examining the posts, it became clear that the images used to support the claim of barrier/checkpoint removals at the President’s House depicted barriers being removed from Temple Trees (the Prime Minister’s residence).
This is how the current situation in front of the president`s palace can be visible with a security checkpoint.
Claim 2: Reestablishment of Security Checkpoints Near Temple Trees
Verification:
Following a security alert from the US Embassy regarding potential terrorist attacks, there have been social media posts claiming that authorities decided to reestablish security checkpoints near Temple Trees.
However, when we contacted the Prime Minister’s Office, they denied these claims and confirmed that no steps were taken to reinstall the previously removed security setups.
Additionally, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kollupitiya Police Station confirmed that no decision had been made to reinstate security checkpoints around Temple Trees.
The removal of barriers/checkpoints was part of a broader move by the new government to reduce security measures around crucial locations in Colombo. Despite the security warning, no changes have been made so far.
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Conclusion
The claim that security barriers near the President’s House are being reestablished is false. No barriers have been removed, and the only recent change involved opening a road for public access.
The claim that new security checkpoints are being set up near Temple Trees due to security threats is also false. Both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Kollupitiya police confirmed that no steps have been taken to reestablish the removed security setups.
Both claims circulating on social media appear to be misleading and based on incorrect information.
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