State official arrested for spreading fake news on social media

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) took into custody an Assistant Commissioner of Land Settlements in Kotmale for spreading false news on Facebook, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

He said the suspect, a 42-year-old resident of Gelioya posted various fake photographs related to deforestation.

However, the CID has revealed that the photographs were taken during a private land clearing.

The suspect was taken to the CID and is due to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court today.