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As the national elections in Sri Lanka draw near, there is a noticeable increase in the dissemination of misleading and altered content on social media platforms. This content often targets politicians and political parties, aiming to sway public opinion and influence the electoral process.
Social Media Posts
Recent social media posts have been circulating an image of a billboard allegedly stating that no politician is allowed to enter a Buddhist temple and that temple monks should not attend functions involving politicians. These posts have specified various political parties, leading to widespread confusion and debate.
We decided to do a fact check on this.
Fact Check
Source of the Image:
The image of the billboard originated from Sudarshanramaya Temple in West Weliweriya, Gampaha district. The original post on social media was made by a X user on May 8, 2022.
Content of the Billboard:
The billboard at the temple does indeed state that no politicians are allowed to enter the temple and that temple monks should not attend events where politicians are present. Importantly, the billboard does not mention any specific political party or use any political symbols.
Comparison between real and edited images below
Reason Behind the Notice:
According to the temple monk(who residing in the temple) we contacted, the notice was put up after the temple monks and villagers had to repair a village road themselves. Despite multiple requests, no assistance was received from politicians, government authorities, or local government bodies.
Confirmation from Temple Authorities:
The temple monk of Sudarshanramaya Temple confirmed the details of the road repair story and the subsequent decision to put up the notice. He emphasized that the decision was made without targeting any specific political party. Furthermore, he noted that since the notice was put up, no politicians have visited the temple, and temple monks have refrained from attending events involving politicians.Still the notice is there.The monk said.
Additional Verification:
A monk from a neighboring temple also confirmed the presence of the notice and the circumstances leading to its installation.
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Conclusion
The claim that a Buddhist temple in Gampaha district has put up a notice banning politicians from entering and discouraging monks from attending events with politicians is true. The temple involved is Sudarshanramaya, and the notice was installed after the local community had to repair their village road without any help from political figures or authorities. The notice does not mention any specific political parties, contrary to some claims circulating on social media. The notice was put in 2022 and not a recent one.So the viral social media posts are altered.
This situation underscores the importance of verifying the full context and details of viral claims to prevent misinformation. The Sudarshanramaya Temple’s decision reflects a specific local response to unmet community needs rather than a partisan political statement.
Title:Sudarshanramaya Temple’s Billboard Banning Politicians from Entering Temple!!
Fact Check By: Fact Crescendo TeamResult: Altered
