A statement issued by the Police Headquarters yesterday (19) has published misinformation regarding the incident in which a BMW spun out of control and plunged into the Diyawanna Oya on Saturday (17).

In it’s statement, the Police identified the vehicle registration plate of the BMW as CBB 5005, while images of the incident circulating on social media indicate the registration plate number as C18 3182.

The press release also said that the owner of the car was identified as one Fahim Mohammed Hussain, a resident of 85, Sigera Lane, Madiwela, who had fled the scene after the incident that saw him hit two other cars before plunging into the Oya.

The statement also refuted allegations widespread on social media that the car was driven by President Maithripala Sirisena’s son, dismissing them as act instigated by the President’s political opponents.

However, social media was quick to point out the misinformation published in the Police's official statement and question the veracity of the other information contained within.