Clarification Issued Regarding Viral Video on Mandaramnuwara Incident

A video clip currently circulating on social media alleges that a tense situation arose during the distribution of disaster-relief supplies in the Mandaramnuwara area, claiming that residents were protesting against the Mandaramnuwara Police.

Following instructions from the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Mandaramnuwara Police, a report was obtained regarding the incident. Based on the findings, the following clarification has been issued.

Due to the recent sudden disaster situation in the country, several areas under the Mandaramnuwara Police Division were affected by landslides. Residents of these areas have been relocated to safe camps. As road access to certain locations remains obstructed, relief items intended for affected families were transported by air. These supplies were received by the respective Grama Niladharis and distributed accordingly. The Mandaramnuwara OIC has further reported that police officers were deployed solely to ensure the safety of the aircraft and the public during the landing, and that they did not engage in the distribution of relief goods.

On 07 December 2025, a group of approximately 150 to 200 people from around 50 families living near the Mandaramnuwara Police Station prevented the Grama Niladharis from accepting the air-delivered relief items. Instead, the items were stored temporarily at a school. Police officers acted to maintain public order, and the OIC immediately informed the Divisional Secretary of the situation.

During this time, police officers took steps to control the gathering and ensure the safe evacuation of the government officials present. It has been reported that several individuals at the scene filmed the events while shouting in a manner hostile to the police, and later released the footage on social media.

The Grama Niladhari Office and the Mandaramnuwara Police Station are located on the same premises in front of a tea factory. The OIC confirmed that the group involved in the commotion did not at any point enter the police station. However, because both offices share the same land, videos taken from certain angles may misleadingly suggest that the police station was surrounded or raided by the public.

It is regrettable that such content has created a false impression regarding the conduct of the Sri Lanka Police, who have been working tirelessly day and night to safeguard the lives and property of the public during this unexpected national disaster.

Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Police wishes to present this clarification to ensure the public is accurately informed about the incident.