Speaking to an English daily newspaper, Minister Diana Gamage has denied her media unit sent a press release to the Daily Mirror claiming Disney has shown interest in setting up a Disneyland in Hambantota. She has said that no such communiqué had been sent to the media by her team pertaining to the confirmation of Disney officials visiting the country and Disneyland being set up in Hambantota as reported. 

However while claiming the press release was not authentic, Gamage however has maintained that discussions were ‘ongoing’ regarding the project. 

“There was no such press release sent by me. Discussions into this (Disneyland being set up in the country) are underway, but details of this are being fabricated, and fake news is being circulated.” she had said. 

However, despite Gamage claiming she had not sent any communique to the Daily Mirror, the newspaper is yet to take down the story or admit its mistake. Instead, it has gone on to report on the story once again claiming Gamage told them she will leave for the US soon to discuss the agreement. 

On the contrary, Gamage had told the other newspaper that she is uncertain if she can in fact go to the US. 

“By 4 or 5 November, we will be discussing this with the officials of the Walt Disney Company on this. I am not certain if I can go. It is unlikely that I will be able to go due to the Budget. Whether they will visit us or I will go is still uncertain. I will reveal further details in the coming days.” she had said.