Misleading video falsely claiming Sri Lanka president explaining onion purchase rule

As Sri Lankan farmers express growing dissatisfaction with the government's new purchasing criteria for large onions, a video of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been circulating online with claims that he is explaining the reasoning behind the new regulation. However, the footage actually shows Dissanayake discussing a 2020 official gazette concerning coconut sizes.

A Facebook post in Sinhala, shared on October 29, 2025, stated: "Do you know why it was gazetted that the diameter of a big onion should be between 35 and 65 mm? Anura Dissanayake explains the reason. Hear it."

In the video, Dissanayake says, "Our measurements department changed all the measurements in the 1980s. Length is measured in meters and centimetres. The gazette mentions measurements in inches."

The government decided to purchase the onion harvest to support local farmers after a record crop, expected to be more than double that of 2024, and concerns over food price increases following monsoon rains. The Ministry of Agriculture announced a purchase price of 130 Sri Lankan rupees (0.42 dollars) per kilogram for large onions.

Lanka Sathosa, the state-owned wholesale and retail chain, began buying large onions at the fixed price on October 3, 2025, later increasing it to 155 rupees, according to CEO DL Malage. Farmers, however, argue that the prices do not cover production costs and criticize the new size standards requiring onions to measure 35 to 65 millimetres in diameter as unfeasible.

Lanka Sathosa also clarified that it does not measure the produce. The Facebook post, shared over 2,700 times, falsely claimed the video showed Dissanayake discussing the new onion standards, while comments reveal that many viewers were misled.

Some users harshly criticized Dissanayake, calling him unfit for office and blaming the government for mismanaging onion imports. The presidents leftist administration took office last year, promising to restore law and order.

In reality, the video is from 2020, showing Dissanayake addressing coconut size regulations. The clip features the News First logo and was originally published on their Facebook page on September 20, 2020. At that time, Dissanayake, then an opposition leader, criticized a gazette that used inches instead of metric units for coconut measurements. The Consumer Affairs Authority had issued a maximum retail price for coconuts based on their circumference in inches, which Dissanayakes National Peoples Power party argued was unenforceable due to Sri Lankas metric system.

AFP has previously debunked misinformation involving President Dissanayake.

Commentary: Misinformation Clouding Sri Lanka's Onion Purchase Crisis

The recent controversy surrounding the Sri Lankan government's new criteria for purchasing large onions highlights a significant issue: the spread of misinformation. A video circulating on social media, in which President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appears to explain the reasoning behind new onion size regulations, has been widely shared. However, this video has been falsely attributed to the onion purchase standards, when in fact, it originates from a 2020 speech addressing coconut size regulations. This misunderstanding has fueled confusion, with many criticizing the government's handling of the situation.

As the video falsely connects Dissanayake to the onion crisis, it has led to a cascade of negative reactions from farmers and the public alike. The government's decision to support local farmers by purchasing onions at a fixed price was made in the wake of an anticipated bumper harvest. However, the dissatisfaction stems from the price set by the government, which farmers argue does not cover production costs, and the new size standards for onions—ranging from 35 to 65 millimeters in diameter—that many feel are impractical. While the government has clarified that it does not measure the onions, the damage from the misinformation has already been done.

This situation highlights the dangers of misinformation, especially when it comes to issues affecting the livelihoods of farmers and the economy. While the government is trying to manage the onion crisis through purchasing efforts, the misattribution of the video to the current issue undermines public trust. It is crucial that the government and media outlets work together to ensure clear, accurate communication to avoid further escalation of such misunderstandings.

Sources:

• Old footage falsely claimed as Sri Lanka president explaining onion purchase rule