The Malwathu Maha Viharaya in Kandy has issued a special statement regarding a misleading news report concerning a request allegedly made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter.

According to the statement, a false news article was published to the effect that Rajapaksa had requested the Malwathu Chief Prelate to tell President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not to arrest his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Issuing a clarification, the Deputy Registrar of Malwathu Maha Viharaya, Ven. Mahawela Rathanapala Thera stated that the clarification has been issued based on a directive of the Chief Prelate of the Malwathu Chapter. The statement notes that no meeting or telephone conversation, as mentioned in the news report, took place. According to the statement, legal action will be taken in the future against individuals and organisations attempting to create and spread such misleading news with the aim of causing public unrest.