• Spkr. says he’ll address matter at ‘apt’ time

The main Parliamentary Opposition Party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), called on Speaker of the Parliament Ashoka Ranwala, who is facing allegations of academic fraud, to make haste in stating his position regarding the accusations. 

A controversy has emerged regarding the doctorate allegedly held by Ranwala, with Opposition parties demanding a clarification on whether he genuinely holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree. 

They have called on the Government to clarify and dispel growing public suspicion surrounding the matter. The Speaker had reportedly used the title ‘Dr.’ in his introductions prior to contesting the General Election. Following his election as the Speaker, his name was listed as Dr. Ashoka Ranwala on the official website of the Parliament. 

However, the issue gained attention when university professors and other individuals questioned on social media whether the Speaker’s doctorate was legally granted or recognised. Adding to the speculation, doubts have been raised about the removal of the prefixed title ‘Dr.’ from his name on the Parliament’s website.

Responding to an inquiry made by Ada Derana, Speaker Ranwala had stated that he would address the allegations at the appropriate time. The Speaker did not specify a date or time when he would respond and all attempts to contact him proved futile.

The SJB stated however that the Speaker should not delay his response following allegations of academic fraud. “We encourage the Speaker to avoid remaining silent and to make his address on the matter without delay,” SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake told The Daily Morning yesterday (11) when queried as to whether they would take action in this regard in the form of reporting the same to the Parliament’s Ethics Committee (the option of putting forward a no-confidence/faith motion is also available per law), now that some proof of the issue had been furnished and made public. “If he keeps silent, it will look highly suspicious.” 

Earlier, SJB Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy told The Daily Morning that the SJB would await proof of academic fraud before deciding whether to take this matter to the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges. 

However, United National Party (UNP) member and former MP Thalatha Athukorala claimed that the institution that the Speaker claimed to have graduated from had announced that they had no record of his studentship.

Earlier, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that Ranwala will soon make a ‘responsible’ statement regarding the same. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Government will arrive at a decision regarding the matter after the Speaker reports on his qualifications to the relevant authorities. 

“I will make a statement on what decision the Government will take if the claims are true as well as if the claims are false,” he added.

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact member of the New Democratic Front (NDF) and Opposition MP Anuradha Jayaratne proved futile while NDF member, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha declined to comment. 

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact various members of the National People’s Power (NPP) including Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, and NPP General Secretary MP Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe proved futile.