Minister Samantha Vidyarthna Lodges Complaint with CID

11-Oct-2025

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Minister of Plantation Industries and Community Infrastructure Facilities Samantha Vidyarthna has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against the circulation of false news on social media and Parliamentary platforms involving his son.

Speaking to the media after filing the complaint, the Minister said that those spreading such fake news would face legal action if they failed to substantiate their claims.

He stated:

“Fake news is being spread using both Parliamentary privileges and social media platforms. We have lodged a formal complaint with the CID regarding this. The government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is actively pursuing anti-drug and other reform initiatives. Disturbed by these efforts, the opposition has resorted to spreading false stories linking ruling party members and their families.”

“When we were in opposition, we criticized the government, but we never targeted the children of politicians. Today, however, the opposition is attempting to retaliate by targeting our children, exploiting Parliamentary privileges to do so. These false stories are also being widely shared across social media.”

“My son is studying at Badulla Central College and has not even sat for his Ordinary Level examinations yet. If anyone wishes to verify whether the alleged incident took place, they can inquire directly with the school principal. It has also been alleged that there was pressure not to lodge a police complaint, but if that is true, the police can confirm it.”

He further added that the complaint to the CID seeks to determine who created the false story and who circulated it online. “If those responsible cannot prove their claims, they will face legal consequences. We cannot allow actions like these, which endanger the nex/t generation, to continue any further,” he warned.