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Parliament website removes ’Dr.’ title from Speaker’s profile
Colombo, Dec 10 (Daily Mirror) - Amid allegations over the academic qualifications of Speaker Asoka Ranwala, the Sri Lanka Parliament website has removed the title 'Dr.' from his profile.
Previously listed as “Dr. Asoka Ranwala,” his name now appears as “Asoka Ranwala MP,” raising further doubts about the legitimacy of his alleged doctorate.
It has been reported that the webpage was updated within the last 24 hours to remove the title 'Dr.' from the Speaker's profile.
However, archived versions and Google search results still display the title, while the current profile no longer includes it.
The controversy erupted after social media activists questioned his credentials on Facebook, leading to public calls for accountability.
Former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya has also challenged the Speaker to prove his degree, stating in a Facebook post that Ranwala should resign if he fails to do so.
Deshapriya also urged the National People's Power (NPP) to take action if the Speaker does not respond.
When Ranwala was appointed Speaker, Parliament's media release described him as holding a doctorate in Biochemistry from Waseda University, Japan, in addition to a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Moratuwa. He was also introduced as a member of the NPP's National Executive Committee and as having previously served in local government roles.
Despite several calls for clarification, the Speaker has not responded.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet spokesman said today that the Speaker will address the allegations regarding his qualifications.
When asked about potential actions if the allegations are proven, the spokesman said further steps would be announced following the Speaker’s statement.
Comments - 66
Comments - Parliament website removes ’Dr.’ title from Speaker’s profile
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Doctor Do Little Tuesday, 10 December 2024 11:31 AM
Wonder where why all the lackeys are silent?
0 83
Doctor who? Doctor No Tuesday, 10 December 2024 05:54 PM
Your money or your life. Choose NOW!
0 4
University Kada Wednesday, 11 December 2024 09:07 AM
There are University Kada in many countries which offer cheap education, but give a glorified certificate and a photograph taken in front of a massive banner sticker to make it look like a major event. Such students don't have photographs of a real graduation ceremony. Such Uni Kada are fooling parents and children and in return they are fooling friends and relatives with their so called "achievement". Wonder if speaker did the same.
0 7
Steve Tuesday, 10 December 2024 11:38 AM
Something very fishy !!
0 71
Hora Tuesday, 10 December 2024 11:42 AM
They supposed to catch thieves, this is the reality of NPP. No words explain feelings.
5 79
eddy Tuesday, 10 December 2024 11:58 AM
The washing machine club of NPP will still try to wash this black mark, I am sure. Is this the kind of people who claim that they are "noble" compare to others and promise us to deliver a clean country?
4 88
Suda Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:00 PM
How has the Parliament Secretariat come to the conclusion?
1 39
This is reality Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:08 PM
The NPP should maintain its dignity in the eyes of its voters. This controversy could dig up other unwarranted revelations. Before it can blow up in its face, the government better take remedial measures to either disprove the allegations or rectify it accordingly with required action.
1 62
NPP Must Admit Mistakes Immediately And Assure Immediate Remedies Tuesday, 10 December 2024 07:45 PM
Correct, suggest AKD and HA arranges a news conference and assure all their A team” members are genuine graduates. Those who mislead them and the party with their qualifications must be replaced - period. Citizens were assured NPP will start to strengthen the economy with a proper mandate. However, by looking at the way Wasantha was mud slinging in parliament, the controversy to allow farmers to make decisions to kill animals who destroy their crops and now the qualifications of the speaker. The country has a long way to go and all in the NPP team is expected to make sound decisions.
0 17
Yohan Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:17 PM
Majority of npp politicians are born liars. Ranwala was a welder at Petroleum and he should resign for misleading the public. Also npp minister Jayakody does not have a degree though he label himself as an engineer. More fake stuff will reveal with time.
7 65
Izzy Tuesday, 10 December 2024 05:09 PM
Yohan, is Naamal Rajapakse, nominated M.P. a lawyer?
6 13
Suhada malli Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:17 PM
In the event due to an oversight or any other reason this Dr is not a doctor on order to maintain party discipline and respect earned from the public the NPP disciplinary committee should ask him to step down until the air clears. Cannot have a clean sri lanka if not. Ignorance and innocence cannot be pleaded in seats of high authority if you were not aware.
1 53
johan Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:22 PM
Speaker's job does not need a doctorate or professor. Previous speakers performed their duties with their Ordinary,Advanced level qualifications. This type of referee job can be performed by anyone with some basic ideas
86 23
Shiv Tuesday, 10 December 2024 05:36 PM
I think you are missing the point mate. The question is not whether a degree is needed for the role. It’s about integrity and the truthfulness of the individual. So please do not try to bury it under the carpet!
0 39
Jeanne Wednesday, 11 December 2024 01:51 AM
Hear! Hear! In all the noise and excitement to "get rid of Ranil" people appear to have overlooked the "integrity" issue which has plagued politics for decades since 1948. As Britney Spears song goes: " Hit me baby one more time"!!
1 8
Haneef Mohamed Tuesday, 10 December 2024 06:43 PM
Certainly! Here’s a response that conveys your point clearly and respectfully: You are absolutely right that the Speaker’s position does not require a doctorate or professorship. However, the real issue here is not the qualification itself, but the fabrication of a doctorate degree. This kind of dishonesty undermines the integrity of the position and brings shame to the principles outlined in the NPP’s manifesto. As a proud and strong NPP supporter, I find it deeply concerning that such contradictions and controversies have emerged within such a short period of this administration. It makes me wonder what might come next. Upholding transparency and accountability is essential if we are to remain true to our party’s values and the trust of the people we serve. Let me know if you’d like me to adjust anything further!
0 22
Roshan semantha Tuesday, 10 December 2024 07:36 PM
This is the thinking that has got us to where we are. Integrity and truth matters.
0 18
Sam J Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:34 PM
Oh wow, this is a national Issue now...
44 23
Gabriella Tuesday, 10 December 2024 05:27 PM
It is more than a national issue. If he has used a false title, he has to be asked to resign immediately. If this issue remains unresolved, then, it is Anura's credibility that is destroyed.
0 25
Ruwan Wijeratne Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:39 PM
NPP should do the right thing to earn the peoples trust and maintain their credibility they need to identify the bad apples among themselves as they will bring them down if you don’t expel them.
1 51
Fernando Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:43 PM
Mr Deshapriya can take legal action against those who kept slinging mud at him for bringing this matter to media. As usual, whether it's true or false, no one can say anything against NPP/JVP.
5 37
AKD, where are your principles Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:48 PM
AKD keeps screaming that he wouldn't tolerate fraud and deceit. So, is this man suitable to be the VVIP 3rd person of a country? What if the same thing was done by another person in another party? What a shame!
5 79
B P Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:50 PM
Deception all the way. Better to remove all titles of government MPs beforehand.
2 47
Sharmi Tuesday, 10 December 2024 12:57 PM
Speaker has lost his credibility.
2 56
Nolan Tuesday, 10 December 2024 01:08 PM
One can write to Waseda university, Japan to confirm speakers qualification.
1 44
Gayan Tuesday, 10 December 2024 01:13 PM
Same soup different bowl. He should resign from speaker position immediately.
3 49
Upulpb Tuesday, 10 December 2024 01:28 PM
His integrity is being questioned and he has no choice but to come clean.
1 51
cineha Tuesday, 10 December 2024 01:31 PM
What else you need as proof? Now he has no moral right to Sit in the speaker's chair any more
1 46
Sana Tuesday, 10 December 2024 01:35 PM
If Mr. Asoka Ranwala has deliberately misled the public by falsifying his academic credentials, he should resign immediately. The people voted and mandated a new clean Govt. Hence, will not tolerate any fraudulent activities going forward.
0 58
Russel Harmmer Tuesday, 10 December 2024 01:40 PM
There is no hard and fast rules to remove "Dr" title from the Speaker as he is professionally qualified, unlike the former Potuwa Speaker Nutty.
53 8
Ziaboo Tuesday, 10 December 2024 02:37 PM
There are bigger issues we need to focus on. After all we had a ‘doctor’ Minister who tied a government employee to a tree years ago. Whatever the issue, current Speaker seems a decent gentleman. Let the matter rest now that he has taken the title off.
63 8
Dee Tuesday, 10 December 2024 04:35 PM
Yes bigger issues such as - Uganda money, electricity bills, 150/- ‘kommis’ on petrol, rice shortage, coconuts, killing wild animals. Lots of national issues correct. Now running out of excuses to pin on previous governments.
3 33
Politics Tuesday, 10 December 2024 02:43 PM
It would be unethical and unprofessional to attribute any doctoral degree to himself if he has not done any yet , I don’t think that any PHD is one and only metric to measure the skills and talents of any person: how many people have bought phds from back doors : this is in parliament he doesn’t lecture or teach any one but many people are in university with fake phd take action against them:they destroy lives of the future generations with fake PhD not the speakers and i don’t think this matters that much : with or without PhD he can do his job well as the speaker of the house : don’t be bullied by this media hype .
52 13
Ram P Tuesday, 10 December 2024 03:06 PM
Eddy, Please understand that some stains cannot be removed unless the person wearing the stain advice what the stain is. When a person identify him/her self for a long time as holding an acadamic Doctorate not only NPP but sometimes the prospectice employers too do not check the qualifications. So no point blaming NPP. We must wait for the Speakers statement, yet to come and they watch what action NPP would take.
27 6
Nobody Tuesday, 10 December 2024 03:47 PM
my question is... would you have said the same if this fellow was from any other party? I doubt not
2 28
Raj Tuesday, 10 December 2024 03:28 PM
If he does not have a Doctorate or Degree and had he claimed previously that he had one, he should step down from the speaker post and as an MP as well. NPP should set an example what they stand for!
0 35
Raj Tuesday, 10 December 2024 03:31 PM
If he had lied about his credentials, NPP Should remove him as speaker and as an MP as well! Otherwise NPP's credibility at stake!
0 32
Terrence K Tuesday, 10 December 2024 03:33 PM
Johan when the members of the JVP/NPP do something wrong you always try to white wash their actions. Qualifications are not the criteria in appointing the Speaker it is the truth that is required and when someone is impersonating in showing the public he is a Doctor that is what matters. Comments of nincompoops like you will definitely not be an example for the younger generation and also it is slur on the President who upto now has not tarnished his image but now being head of the JVP/NPP will definitely tarnish the image of the party and no one of the members will want to have links with such people as the party came into power basically on the premise of having members who are above board!!!!!!
1 20
Jeanne Tuesday, 10 December 2024 04:07 PM
Here's a thought: People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The NPP has spent all of their time since gaining power on a witch hunt of so-called thieves, corrupt officials, ill gotten luxury vehicles, fraudsters etc etc. While all this is very welcome by the public, they need to be sure that their own house is in order. By the looks of it, so far, not so good!!! Look forward to the next episode!
4 28
Lakshman maddumahewa Tuesday, 10 December 2024 04:16 PM
He must resign immediately. Shame to people who elected this government to power. If not grave insult to parliament democracy.
1 26
Yakka Mahattaya Tuesday, 10 December 2024 04:17 PM
I am sure Mr. Ranwala doesn't have a doctorate. However, this bugger is a good bugger. He worked as a Refinery Operation Technician. Can someone tell me the name of a politician who has never uttered a lie? Let us forgive and forget-please allow him to continue.
31 9
Pusa Tuesday, 10 December 2024 06:55 PM
Has a PhD and worked as a welder ? That sounds like under-employment (until he became the Speaker)
0 10
Daysn Tuesday, 10 December 2024 09:55 PM
True true like the Uganda Kumaris Drama winnng a seat in parliament.
0 8
Dilakshan Senevirathne Tuesday, 10 December 2024 04:28 PM
The speaker is a very honorable man with integrity unlike those in the previous governments. All NPP MPs are over qualified and very well placed to be in sitting in the Parliament.
39 2
Gunapala Tuesday, 10 December 2024 05:46 PM
MP Ranwala has claimed he is an engineering graduate of UOM and worked in the refinery as a chemical engineer. On top of these lies he has claimed to have a PhD degree from Waseda University. He is a disgrace to the society. What is honorable about him?
0 18
A PERSON IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY Tuesday, 10 December 2024 06:59 PM
DILAKSHAN, WELL SAID. WE SEE ALL THESE NEGATIVE COMMENTS BY SOME EX GOVT'S SUPPORTERS AND THEY SEEM TO HAVE GOT SOME ON NPP SUPPORTERS CONFUSED AND MOUTHING OFF OR THEY MAY BE EX GOVT'S SUPORTERS TOO TRYING TO GET A TICK FROM THE CONFUSED. LET US WAIT TO SEE WHAT ACTION IS TAKEN BY ANURA BEFORE MOUTHING OFF NEGATIVE COMMENTS.VANURA HAS MORE THAN HE CAN CHEW WITH THE MISMANAGEMENT OF THE PREVIOUS GOVT, SO GIVE HIM A CHANCE TO BREATH AND COME BACK WITH A RESPONSE.
8 1
Smh Tuesday, 10 December 2024 04:36 PM
He should have presented his certificates and vigorously defended his credentials if he was blameless. His silence automatically implies guilt. What a waste of time when there are more pressing concerns in the country.
3 33
Hifli Marikar Tuesday, 10 December 2024 04:52 PM
His PhD might be either one of them PhD(permanent head damage) or his PhD(pigan hodana dostara)at home
1 7
Imtias Tuesday, 10 December 2024 05:22 PM
It's not the doctorate the main issue here It's the first big deceit. There could be lot more to come out which the laundry men can't understand and trying to keep the dirty linen inside the closet.
0 11
DK Tuesday, 10 December 2024 05:56 PM
How many more parliamentarians are with bogus qualifications, one wonders. The speaker should do the decent thing and vacate post, allowing someone else with genuine credibility to take charge of the house sittings.
0 11
UniDon Tuesday, 10 December 2024 06:29 PM
MP Ranwala is just the tip of the iceberg of "educated" MPs of NPP. If you check, you will see that almost all "professors" of NPP have become professors by publishing their "research" in predatory journals.
0 10
Independent Tuesday, 10 December 2024 06:48 PM
a former trade union activist associated with Jvp who did everything possible to create trouble in the country especially around providing electricity at a cheaper price. Shocking to see him as the speaker.
0 10
Pusa Tuesday, 10 December 2024 06:48 PM
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuu NPP ! Play the drum you saddled
0 9
wickrama Wijayasiri Tuesday, 10 December 2024 07:01 PM
The speaker need not have a Doctorate. A doctorate , especially in sciences, does not mean much these days. The intellectual acumen of a PhD has declined from what it used to be. Only good to teach in the area of expertise. However, there is an issue of integrity NPP needs to address. Truthfulness and a level mind goes hand in hand. The Speaker of the house needs to be a level minded person who has or could earned the trust of the house. If a person believes that this fact could not be verified in this day and age is fool. The Speaker of the house should not be a fool.
5 3
John Fernando Tuesday, 10 December 2024 07:13 PM
You don't have to be dr to become parliament speaker, if he deliberately used and if it is not his accomplishment then should be investigated and tell the truth to public. Trump lies thousand times but here current government earned the reputation of true power of people so they have to investigate.
6 4
Rip Winkle Tuesday, 10 December 2024 07:26 PM
Reminds me of Chandrika's Sorbornne university degree ...
2 12
Gayantha Hemachandra Tuesday, 10 December 2024 07:29 PM
The Speaker of the Parliament comes third in the Order of Precedence in Sri Lanka. He heads the legislative branch of the government and presides over the Constitutional Council as its chairman overseeing and recommending appointments of Judges to the Supreme Court and the Appeal Court including the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeals. Irony is this…now a fraudster with a fake bachelor degree and a fake doctorate is heading the Constitutional Council and actively participating in the process of selecting Superior Courts Judges. If this man continues to function as the Speaker, all the nominees coming out as Supreme Court and the Appeal Court Judges under this fraudster’s watch, will have to face a humiliating situation - because a forger has recommended them as Superior Courts Judges .
0 12
Rohana J Tuesday, 10 December 2024 07:31 PM
Dear NPP Please be careful, since you are the only credible political movement we have at the moment.we do NOT want ANY other party led by people like Ranil, Sajith, Dilith etc, etc back in power
5 8
A Concerned Citizen Wednesday, 11 December 2024 03:47 AM
If the Parliament Secretary does not have confidence about Speaker Ashok's Ranwala's qualifications, it is a serious matter. Now NPP must ask former Dr. Ranwala to show his qualifications or remove him from Speaker position. Delaying it hoping it will go away will make matters worse.
0 8
A supporter of NPP Wednesday, 11 December 2024 06:15 AM
There is no need of having a bachelor's degree or PhD to be a Speaker. No previous Speaker in Sri Lanka had a PhD and may be one or two would have had a bachelor's degree. The previous speaker could not add and subtract. When 4 members of the Constitutional Council voted against Deshabandu Tennakoon and 2 in voted in favour and two abstained, he calculated it as a tie and voted in favour of Deshbandu and that was how Deshabandu Tennakoon was selected. However, removal of Dr. title from Parliament website is a vote of no-confidence on Speaker by the Secretary General of the Parliament. Speaker MUST quickly and clearly act. If he has a bachelor's degree and a PhD, he must show certificates and say from which university and in which year he got them. NPP Government also must act quickly and decisively.
1 7
Liar Liar Pants On Fire Wednesday, 11 December 2024 08:46 AM
Ha Ha ha The ispeeker looks like a bus conductor no? The primate thought he can getaway with falls certificates. The idiot doesn't know that any educational qualification can be verified through independent sources. Can he ispeek Japanese ?
0 10
Parliament Removes Speaker's Doctorate Wednesday, 11 December 2024 08:50 AM
How Sad Whole NPP is based on a big lie.
2 8
A Supporter of political Crooks Wednesday, 11 December 2024 11:14 AM
Sri Lankan Parliament had mostly crooks as Speakers. By the issue of PhD and bachelor's degree, Ranwala has shown that he too has the capability to act as a crook, so he must be kept in Speaker's position.
1 1
Ajantha Jayaweera Wednesday, 11 December 2024 01:19 PM
If true, AKD must fire him immediately. This is a reflection on Anura's leadership. If he compromises here, he will compromise again elsewhere, and gradually the NPP will become the same as the other corrupt parties. This is not an educational matter, its a matter of whether the Speaker of Parliament is lying or not. This really is the most critical moment for AKD.
0 10
Peter de Silva Wednesday, 11 December 2024 08:44 PM
The whole NPP just because of the Speaker? You need your head examined for a faulty logic circuit.
1 2
Raj Thursday, 12 December 2024 09:01 AM
NPP has a majority. So time to clean up the ranks if found to be falsified and other misdeeds After decades and decades of past political corruption in various Governments I am not surprised at the revelation springing up like this. Expect more of it. Time to clear the dead wood and rotten. Has to start somewhere and since NPP has a big majority the clean up can be easily done
0 1
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