A photo shared on Facebook purportedly shows Sri Lankan ex-president Gotabaya Rajapaksa on a flight from the Maldives to Singapore following his resignation.
Verdict: False
The photo was taken in 2016 and shows Rajapaksa on a plane heading for Japan, not Singapore.
Fact Check:
Rajapaksa resigned as Sri Lankan president on July 14 and fled the country after a series of anti-government protests, according to CNN. reports that the country has now taken steps to crack down on the protesters involved in the events leading to Rajapaksa’s resignation.
A Facebook photo claims that Rajapaksa was accompanied by his assistants as they flew from Maldives to Singapore after his resignation from office. The caption of the photo reads: “Sri Lankan President in Exile Gotapaya Rajapaksha(sic) seen on the flight from Maldives to Singapore.”
However, this image was taken before the crisis in Sri Lanka. A reverse image search reveals it was originally posted to Rajapaksa’s verified Facebook account in 2016 during a trip to Japan. On our way to #Nagoya, we have a stunning view of Mount Fuji. “Look forward to meeting the Sri Lankan community tonight – GR,” reads the caption.
The photo can also be seen in a 2016 article published by the Sri Lankan news outlet the Colombo Telegraph. (RELATED: Did Time Magazine Feature Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa On Its Cover? )
This is not the first time misinformation about Rajapaksa has gone viral. Check Your Fact previously debunked a photo from April 2022 that allegedly showed a cover of Time Magazine featuring Rajapaksa.
