"Breaking news: Sri Lanka has been removed from the United Nations," says superimposed Sinhala-language text on a Facebook graphic shared on September 25, 2026
The graphic also features a photo of Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake against the backdrop of a UN logo.
"He really messed things up just because he wanted to address the rallies in Sri Lanka," adds the graphic's caption.
It circulated as Dissanayake and his ruling coalition held rallies across the island nation to mark his government's two years in power (archived here and here).
The president did not attend the UN General Assembly's high-level week, which saw world leaders address the body from September 22 to September 28.
The same graphic proclaiming the UN had "removed" Sri Lanka as a member was also shared in similar Facebook posts.
"The country is being humiliated because of this person," said a comment on one of the posts, while another read: "He'll leave the presidential post, after ruining the country."
But there have been no official reports of Sri Lanka being removed as a member state.
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq also said the claim is "false", telling AFP on October 6: "Sri Lanka continues to be a member state."
The country remains listed as a member on the UN's website, which says Sri Lanka was admitted on December 14, 1955 (archived link).
According to Article 6 of the UN Charter, members that have "persistently violated" the organisation's principles may be expelled on the recommendation...
"Breaking news: Sri Lanka has been removed from the United Nations," says superimposed Sinhala-language text on a Facebook graphic shared on September 25, 2026 The graphic also features a photo of...