Suspect arrested over fake news on COVID-19 deaths: DIG Ajith Rohana

COLOMBO (News 1st): A 35-year-old individual was arrested on Saturday morning (Nov. 14) in the Kadugannawa Police jurisdiction, over the spread of fake news related to COVID-19 deaths via social media, Sri Lanka Police said. The arrest was made in Egodawatta, Henawala of the Kadugannawa Police division, by a special team attached to the Criminal Investigations Department. "The suspect will be charged under the Quarantine Rules and Regulations and the Penal Code," Police Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana said. The CID launched an investigation on Friday (Nov. 13) into fake news related to COVID-19 deaths spread via social media. "Yesterday, the Criminal Investigations Department initiated an investigation about a piece of fake news on deaths. The news shared mentioned that plenty of deaths happen in Sri Lanka on roads, in respect of COVID-19 positive patients. Accordingly, the CID conducted investigations into the matter," DIG Ajith Rohana said on Saturday (14). Commenting further, the Police Spokesperson said that out of the 53 COVID-19 deaths reported in the country as of today (Nov. 14), only one person had collapsed and passed away on the road, due to COVID-19 adding the victim was a homeless person. "As of today, 53 COVID-19 deaths have been reported and according to the statistics, only one death had occurred on the road, because the deceased was a homeless person. That is the only death of that nature. However, the fake news had mentioned many deaths of that nature had occurred; this is absolutely false and bogus," the Police Spokesperson noted. Another 04 people have been traced in connection with the same crime and they too will be arrested in due course. DIG Ajith Rohana sternly advised social media users to refrain from sharing fake news. "If you realize it is fake news and if you don't know the truth of that particular news item, DON'T forward it, DON'T share it. If you are going to forward or share, sometimes you might become a perpetrator of a crime," the Deputy Police Chief strongly emphasized.