Sat Jan 11 12:48:34 UTC 2025: ## Fake News: Sri Lankan Cricketer Dasun Shanaka’s Death Hoax Goes Viral
**Colombo, Sri Lanka –** A misleading video claiming the death of Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has gone viral on social media, garnering over 7 million views. The video, posted on Instagram on January 10th, 2025, by user rk070_874, shows a scene where New Zealand cricket players, fans, and security personnel appear to observe a moment of silence. The post falsely implied this was in mourning for Shanaka.
However, fact-checking reveals the video to be completely fabricated. Three key points debunk the hoax:
1. **Shanaka’s Instagram Story:** On January 11th, Shanaka himself posted a story on his verified Instagram account, directly contradicting the claims of his death. The story showed him wishing his teammate, pacer Dushmantha Chameera, a happy birthday.
2. **Lack of News Coverage:** A death of a prominent cricketer like Shanaka would be major news. However, no reputable news sources reported his passing.
3. **Reverse Image Search:** A reverse image search of the video revealed that the moment of silence depicted actually commemorated a senior police officer who died in a New Year’s Day accident. The same police officers featured in the viral video are visible in a January 2nd, 2025 tweet by New Zealand Cricket.
The video’s connection to Dasun Shanaka is entirely false. Authorities urge users to verify information before sharing, especially concerning sensitive topics like death. The spread of misinformation can cause unnecessary distress and grief to individuals and their families.
First Piper 