June 26, Colombo: Consumer rights activist Asela Sampath was arrested in the Pelenwatta area in Piliyandala last night (25), the Criminal Investigations Department has confirmed.

Earlier his family has told media that a group of about 20 people claiming to be from the CID came in a van and abducted Asela Sampath around 8.30 pm last night.

Police Media Spokesman, Senior DIG Ajith Rohana says that Sampath has been arrested in connection with a false statement made on social media regarding the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

The complaint was lodged with the CID by the General Manager of the National Medicine Regulatory Authority a few days ago against a fake news on the adulteration of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Senior DIG Ajith Rohana further stated that the investigation was carried out after studying all the comments made by various people regarding the relevant videos and statements.

Asela Sampath will be produced in court on Saturday (26), said the Police Media Spokesman.