# Sri Lankan political tensions and misinformation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lankan-political-tensions-and-misinformation
> Updated: 2026-10-24T11:25:20.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has engaged in a public dispute with certain media outlets, accusing two unnamed television channels of “manufacturing artificial unrest” to destabilize the government. The President alleged that these broadcasters are acting in coordination with criminal networks and corrupt individuals to obstruct state efforts against drug trafficking and organized crime.

Following these tensions, the President’s Office addressed widespread social media rumors regarding the President’s health. Officials refuted claims that Dissanayake had been hospitalized, stating the reports were baseless. Investigations indicated the misinformation may have been circulated by a political group following a ritual involving a clay figure of the President, which was intended to test the efficacy of local curses.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-24: Sri Lankan President's Office refutes hospitalisation rumors

The Sri Lankan President's Office has dismissed false social media reports claiming President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was hospitalised, linking the misinformation to a political group's ritualistic claims.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sri-lankan-presidents-office-refutes-hospitalisation-rumors

### 2026-10-18: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake accuses two TV channels of stoking unrest

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake accused two TV channels of stoking artificial unrest to protect criminal networks and obstruct government crackdowns on corruption and drug trafficking.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-anura-kumara-dissanayake-accuses-two-tv-channels-of-stoking-unrest

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Cite as: Sri Lankan political tensions and misinformation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sri-lankan-political-tensions-and-misinformation