Reports claiming Mangala has succumbed to COVID-19 are false

Social Media reports claiming that former MP Mangala Samaraweera has passed away after battling COVID19 are false, his colleagues confirmed to Daily Mirror a short while ago. 

When contacted, SJB party member, Rehaan Jayawickreme said Mangala was responding well to treatment and was not on a ventilator. 

Rehaan dismissed all social media reports claiming Mangala was seriously ill and had succumbed to the virus, as false and urged people not to spread fake information. (JAMILA HUSAIN)