Old Image from Sri Lanka Viral as Demonstrators Sleeping in Sheikh Hasina’s Bedroom

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on Monday following intense protests against job quotas.

Student activists had called for a march to the capital Dhaka on Monday after clashes across the country on Sunday killed nearly 100 people, reports Reuters.

Demonstrators even stormed and looted the presidential residence. Social media is abuzz with images and videos allegedly showing the current uncertain situation in Dhaka.

One such image went viral, claiming that it shows protestors sleeping in the Sheikh Hasina’s bedroom.

Fact Crescendo received fact-check requests regarding this image via our WhatsApp Tipline (9049053770).

We found out that the viral image is from Sri Lanka where demonstrators had taken control of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s official residence in 2022.

WHAT’S THE CLAIM?

In the viral image, three people check their mobile phones on a bed. Users are sharing this photo claiming it is from Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s Bedroom.

Original – Facebook | Twitter | Archive

FACT-CHECK

A quick Google reverse image search led us to news reports from 2022.

According to Reuters, this image was taken in Sri Lanka’s President’s house in Colombo on 10 July 2022.

Sri Lankans occupied key government buildings and residences following an uprising that forced the President to flee the country and eventually resign, reports Reuters. 

The caption with this photo reads, “Demonstrators sleep on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s bed at the President’s house, the day after demonstrators entered the building, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled, amid the country’s economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.”

The image was clicked by photojournalist Dinuka Liyanawatte on 10 July 2022.

NPR reported at the time that Photos and videos posted to social media showed Sri Lankans enjoying the luxuries of the president and prime minister’s estates, documenting themselves lounging on furniture, swimming in pools, and even working out in the home gym.

CONCLUSION

Hence, it is clear that an old and unrelated image from Sri Lanka has been shared with false claim. The viral image was not taken in sleeping in Sheikh Hasina’s Bedroom. It was taken in 2022 in Sri Lanka’s President’s house in Colombo. Readers are encouraged to verify the facts before sharing or believing such claims. 

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