Wimal Weerawansa Has Not Decided to Attend SLPP Anuradhapura Rally

Subscribe to our WhatsApp Channel

Namal Rajapaksa’s remand has put increased attention on the SLPP’s public rally scheduled for September 12, 2026, in Anuradhapura. The party has said the rally will proceed as planned. Amid that backdrop, a “Breaking News” styled post claimed that National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa would step onto the SLPP stage in place of Namal Rajapaksa. Here is the social-media evidence behind the claim.

Social Media Posts:

Fact-Check:

Namal Rajapaksa was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on September 4, 2026, over allegations of illicitly obtaining funds in connection with an aircraft procurement deal. SLPP described the arrest as political discrimination and said the September 12 Anuradhapura rally would proceed despite the arrest.

No credible report that Wimal Weerawansa would attend the September 12 SLPP rally.

No mainstream media outlet or credible official source had reported that Weerawansa would attend the rally. The circulating “Breaking News” claim therefore lacked confirmation from reliable sources.

Weerawansa said the decision had not been made

At a press briefing on September 7, Weerawansa was asked whether he would attend the September 12 rally. He said Namal Rajapaksa had personally contacted him before his arrest with a request, but that he could not make the decision alone. He said the party’s political council would need to meet and discuss the matter first.

Weerawansa also criticized the government, accusing it of oppressing political opponents, including Namal Rajapaksa, by imprisoning them. FB

Weerawansa’s official Facebook page rejected the claim

On September 8, Weerawansa’s official Facebook page posted a clarification about the circulating claim. The post carried a “Fake News” label and said that neither Weerawansa nor his party had made such a decision at that time.

Facebook

Direct confirmation: no decision has been made

Fact Crescendo also contacted Weerawansa directly. He confirmed on the morning of September 9 that no decision had been made on whether he would attend the SLPP’s Anuradhapura rally.

Earlier false claims had also circulated after Namal Rajapaksa’s arrest, including claims that his wife, Limini Rajapaksa, would attend the Anuradhapura rally in his place. Below are some of these false narratives Fact crescendo has debunked.

Namal Rajapaksa’s Wife Taking the Anuradhapura Rally Stage? SLPP Denies the Viral Claim

No, Namal Rajapaksa Has Not Fallen Sick or Been Moved to the Prison Hospital

Fake Posts Claim the Rajapaksa Family Is Getting Tamil Political Support After Namal’s Arrest

Join us to learn more about our fact-check investigations.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Google News | TikTok

Conclusion:

Our fact-check finds that the claim that Wimal Weerawansa had decided to attend the SLPP’s public rally in Anuradhapura on September 12 in place of Namal Rajapaksa had no basis. No credible report confirmed the claim, while Weerawansa himself said no such decision had been made. Weerawansa explained that any decision about attending the rally would have to be discussed by the party’s political council and a final decision is not yet reached.