The controversy surrounding the doctorate of ruling party member of parliament (MP) and former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala seems to have been ended by Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake, when he has stated that he does not believe Ranwala possesses a certificate to substantiate his claimed doctorate, given the failure to produce such a document over an extended period.
Ratnayake has made these remarks while responding to questions regarding the controversy during a political talk show on television.
When questioned about the delay in presenting the certificate, despite assurances by Cabinet Spokesperson, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa in November 2024 that it would be produced shortly, Minister Ratnayake has admitted that the necessary time for such an action had long passed.
“I think there is no certificate,” Rathnayake has said. He has further stated, “Ample time has passed for him to present it if it existed. He promised the country he would present it, but he hasn’t.”
The Minister has reportedly explained that this failure was the primary reason behind Ranwala’s removal from the post of Speaker. He has also described the removal as a severe “political and social punishment” for someone who held the position of the country’s third citizen.
“We believe he is a genuine researcher and there is acceptance of that, but I believe there is no certificate,” Rathnayake has said.
“If he has failed to fulfil the promise made to the country, the maximum action we could take was to remove him from the Speaker’s post, which we have done,” he has added.
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