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Two more fake ’Dr’ titles rock govt.
*Urban Development and Housing Minister Karunatilake found not to be a PhD holder
'Dr' title of Justice Minister suddenly dropped from the parliamentary website
*Speaker who was in question earlier still maintains stoic silence
*Opposition questions NPP legitimacy
Days after a shocking dispute over the doctoral credentials of Speaker Asoka Ranwala and his stoic silence over it, fresh controversy has emerged following the discovery that Urban Development and Housing Minister Anura Karunatilake also does not possess such qualifications despite him being referred to as 'Dr.' on certain occasions and in instances, and the same of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara being dropped from the parliamentary website.
An informed source told the Daily Mirror that some close aides of Minister Karunatilake had mistakenly referred to him as 'Dr.' since he is from academia.
The Minister is currently reading for his doctorate in Computational Mathematics at the Kelaniya University.
He is expected to submit his thesis within the next three months only.
In the meantime, the Justice Minister had also been referred with the 'Dr' title in official letters issued by the Office of Leader of the House earlier, but it had been knocked off from the parliamentary website.
The sudden drop has further fueled concerns that the academics who entered Parliament on the NPP ticket had used fake titles to deceive the public.
It is learnt that the parliamentary authorities have instructed those officials to have an overview of the titles in front of the names of MPs.
Opposition parties say this is an assault on the legitimacy of the NPP which boasted of academic and professional qualifications of its members, now assigned with responsibilities to run the country.
Earlier, the UNP said that the use of a fake doctorate title by the Speaker is an insult to the Parliament of Sri Lanka which is the oldest democracy in South Asia. Following criticism, the Speaker has got his title removed from the official website of Parliament.
The government has not made any official announcement yet, though the government said he was expected to hold a media briefing soon and would release a statement.
The NPP government, throughout it's Presidential and Parliamentary campaign had been stating that their candidates were professionals including doctors, engineers etc. and they would bring in a new political culture by maintaining transparency.
Opposition parties such as the SLPP have already called on the diplomatic community to distance itself from the Speaker due to his alleged false educational qualifications and called on him to resign immediately.
Comments - 73
Comments - Two more fake ’Dr’ titles rock govt.
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Farharn Friday, 13 December 2024 09:15 AM
Not only the speaker resign the whole governcrazment should resign
52 32
Vishwa Friday, 13 December 2024 02:31 PM
The relevant politicians in government should be held accountable for any misrepresentation if proven but not the whole government. So are you asking to bring in Ranil, Sajith or Rajapakse to power again? That will never happen again. If people decide to change this government, they will replace it with a corruption-free, better and a clean party or social movement. They will not bring back your old corrupt rogue politicians to power. You're daydreaming.
4 21
NPP Has No Sense Of Urgency On This Matter Friday, 13 December 2024 09:19 AM
Very disappointed and only 2 months governing the country! AKD and HA is taking it too lightly without being open about the issue. Trust is fading unless a recovery strategy can be implemented immediately.
3 63
Gabriella Friday, 13 December 2024 09:24 AM
If these cases are not addressed in the public forum, with remedial measured, Anura's credibility will be destroyed. If these cases are not remedied poste-haste, the entire facade of ethical administration becomes a short-lived fantasy.
0 67
Ayur Veda Friday, 13 December 2024 09:28 AM
Who said we need more DOCTORS? WHY DON'T WE MAKE MORE "DOCs" and solve the shortage?
5 12
BnW Friday, 13 December 2024 09:31 AM
Doesn't really matter, does it? Even after having legitimate PhD holders, they have not been able to take Lanka out of the woods. However, this is a slap on the face of NPP, who always claimed that they are refined gold. No one, yes, not even one is perfect in this world.
8 37
Kumari Sen Friday, 13 December 2024 01:48 PM
The point is faking educational qualifications to boost NPP's stance that only educated and professionals will enter parliament has taken a blow out of the NPP 's trumpet. This has a profound impact on the integrity of AKD
1 19
Terrence K Friday, 13 December 2024 09:39 AM
As Kids we use a rhyme Doctor, Proctor, Coolie, Clerk to check the one who will be out in a game and the last child had to bear the title Coolie. Wondering whether some of these JVP/NPP politicians are Coolies because from day one they have told lies, white lies, diabolic lies and damn bloody lies. Henry Ford one of the Doyens of the Automobile Industries was a person with basic qualifications but the greatest aspect of this human being was being HONEST never trying to be POMPOUS take a leaf from this human being!!!!!!
3 26
Abheetha Senaratne Friday, 13 December 2024 09:43 AM
This can't be because JVP came to power saying they never lied and never utter a lie and they are clean. And to change the political culture of the country.
0 22
Roshanaly Friday, 13 December 2024 09:47 AM
There is no reason to submit fake Educational certificate as there is no reason to be Doctor or Engineer to enter Parliament.
4 25
Tariq Friday, 13 December 2024 09:52 AM
phd equal to permanent head damage. Media personnel are a better profession especially international media maintaining top ethics
3 5
Rip Winkle Friday, 13 December 2024 09:52 AM
Uh oh! ... Hahahaha!
1 17
Nikita Friday, 13 December 2024 09:56 AM
AKD, Harini show leadership and act according to what you have promised in NPP manifesto without delay
0 40
Dee Friday, 13 December 2024 09:57 AM
lol!
1 13
wickrama Wijayasiri Friday, 13 December 2024 10:00 AM
This is sad. I did welcome the change-over to NPP. Did noy pay much attention to the 'Doctorates' as I know that they mean nothing, unless one wants to teach. In most cases PhD's are nothing but spending a few more years at a U to examine a specific minute area on the subject to write a thesis on original research. Most of them are not authorities on the area of study, although Sri Lankans believe so. Just hoopla. The sad reality is that most of these people are not refined persons with basic goodness we expect from them. They made us believe, and let us down by not being truthful, which we expected from them. For what? The honourable thing to do is to resign with an apology to the people, although people do not care for their claimed PhD's. They have failed the test.
1 30
Sharmi Friday, 13 December 2024 10:05 AM
All academic titles of MPs should be removed. It's the MP's integrity and ability to serve the people honestly that matter, not their academic titles.
1 23
Nikita Friday, 13 December 2024 02:04 PM
That is not enough as candidates can still fool the voters (and they have fooled) during election campaigns with fake academic qualifications.
0 11
Mr Perera Friday, 13 December 2024 10:05 AM
Housing minister doesn't need to submit his PhD thesis anymore as he is already a Dr.
0 17
Alice in Wonderland Friday, 13 December 2024 10:12 AM
Dreamlanders
1 13
Soori Maripalan Friday, 13 December 2024 10:24 AM
Both should resign soon to keep the respect of the new government policies! Otherwise, it will like Pina or Myna!
0 15
Insider Friday, 13 December 2024 12:51 PM
It was mistakes all round causing a storm in a teacup as both Housing
3 3
Insider Friday, 13 December 2024 01:20 PM
Contd: As both Housing
0 0
This is reality Friday, 13 December 2024 10:31 AM
The Minister of Justice especially will have an enormous responsibility and a gigantic task to perform in the future. Formulating a Constitution is no joke. Deceiving people at the very onset is not the way to formulate laws on which the future of the country will depend on.
0 25
Johan Friday, 13 December 2024 03:24 PM
Check Dr.wijedasa Rajapakse and Ranil who are the architects of current constitution whether their qualifications are Valid
5 0
Shi Vits Friday, 13 December 2024 10:41 AM
Oh no! Seems they have deceived the voters. Now NPP cleaners, please do not claim they don’t need a doctoral degree for the role and compare them with previous politicians.
2 19
Banda Friday, 13 December 2024 10:46 AM
Where are those NPP/JVP propagandists now? Are you guys happy? There will be a time again to stay in queue until your last breath. No rice, No Petra’s, No gas. Wait and see. Good Luck.
2 15
Rajakaruna Friday, 13 December 2024 10:53 AM
History has taught us that Communists cannot be trusted. Communists will go to any extend to force people to accept them.
4 22
Yohan Friday, 13 December 2024 10:53 AM
All NPP MPs so called professional qualifications should be investigated and surely majority of them are fake. These guys deceived the public with fake qualifications, and made huge lies to public. All these fellows should resign and go home.
1 24
Jude Friday, 13 December 2024 10:54 AM
It's a setback for 1 month old government. I would squarely put the blame on NPP leadership. NPP SHOULD'VE VERIFIED THE CREDENTIALS AND EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF ALL NPP CANDIDATES. I was surprised to notice so much of NPP candidates armed with doctorates and professors. THOSE who faked educational qualifications are FRAUD. NPP LEADERSHIP WITHOUT ANY HESITATION MUST EXPEL FAKE DOCTORS FROM PARLIAMENT, NO OTHER ALTERNATIVES!!
0 27
Ram P Friday, 13 December 2024 11:02 AM
Harshana Nanayakkara must have wanted to match his predecessor Wijedasa who also claims to have Phd that I believe is genuine
1 13
Jude Friday, 13 December 2024 11:06 AM
This is what happens when you send ගම් බට්ටන් to Parliament.
2 16
Polite Friday, 13 December 2024 11:18 AM
This is a vindictive behaviour of opposition to discredit this government and to stage a coup against the mandate of people : this government is elected with a landslide mandate so the government should not worry too much about this but it should make an enquiry about it and resolve it asap: don’t make politics out of this : all initiatives are made to sabotage this government: it is not acceptable at all :
30 10
Onlooker Friday, 13 December 2024 12:29 PM
Unacceptable reasons to divert attention without facing the fact of deceit by the persons concerned of claiming what is not. That is defined as fraud - "wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.".
2 13
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 12:57 PM
There are plenty of mudslingers here who thrive on fake news. Surely, this country has many more burning issues to discuss rather than going on about this issue. Wait till next Tuesday when it will be resolved. For goodness sake?
21 3
Amila Friday, 13 December 2024 11:19 AM
Previous corrupted defeated politician specially bar license owners, thieves, are now searching something wrong to over throw this legitimate government. Useless effort
27 6
Eran Wicks Friday, 13 December 2024 11:25 AM
ConDr.'s being advised by Ceylon Chamber of Conmen.
1 11
H.A.Sky Friday, 13 December 2024 11:25 AM
'Non Corrupt Government'
0 16
Vernon Friday, 13 December 2024 11:25 AM
No one including me did not vote for the NPP considering individuals qualifications. Opposition is trying to hang onto floating straws to cover up their misdeeds.
22 6
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 12:53 PM
Great. I feel this deception by the speaker, if true, would have been 30 years ago. Probably his friends, colleagues, NPP and may be his own family may have not known about this. There are many such cases not only in SL but lots in the developed countries too. If he was not the Speaker it may have been handled by the government earlier, but there are other legal issues at play here. So time is needed.
4 6
Moon okkoma horu malli Friday, 13 December 2024 01:43 PM
Here is a Trade Union leader who claimed free time to work on trade union matters with a paid salary and without working at the oil refinery. A born fraudster.
0 5
Layman Friday, 13 December 2024 11:28 AM
This is very frustrating. I voted for the NPP in all the last six elections because I believed they were honest and genuine people. If AKD is genuine, strip their ministerial posts and give those to other educated people. Telling lies like this is not acceptable to low-makers. The delay in taking any action against the speaker, the liar, raises a big question about the genuineness of the entire NPP set in parliament, including AKD and Harini.
2 29
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 12:48 PM
A NPP supporter understands the party’s philosophies. This is not a simple issue and has legal implications. Separation of Powers in our Constitution means the President cannot interfere with Parliament, it’s Parliament’s business to remove the speaker. Most probably, the Speaker will resign next Tuesday when Parliament meets. Be patient as time is needed for these type of issues to be resolved.
4 9
Kumari Sen Friday, 13 December 2024 02:26 PM
Public cannot wait til Tuesday. Any wrong doings must be dealt swiftly and completely. Waiting can damage NPP, AKD
0 8
Citizen Friday, 13 December 2024 11:30 AM
False titles? Not surprising—just like the empty promises from NPP/JVP.
4 21
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 12:41 PM
Be patient till the promises are fulfilled. years of ruin cannot be fixed in a hurry, but one need a bit of brains to understand this.
17 8
TC Friday, 13 December 2024 02:12 PM
You may be a NPP proxy but try not to be an idiot!! Trust me this government will do nothing different from the previous governments!! Time will prove that!!
3 5
Nimal 1 Friday, 13 December 2024 11:59 AM
Right from the start, they are going to rule by deceit. The dirty scoundrels, worse than the elephant, cylinder, phone and pohottuwa.
7 18
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 02:23 PM
Happy now with meaningless comment? Enjoy your day buddy.
2 3
kandiah Friday, 13 December 2024 12:07 PM
what about the man who was given a separate room to do the law exam to copy and pass
10 10
Gamini Friday, 13 December 2024 12:18 PM
and the rocket scientist with 2 PhD's
3 8
LMAO Friday, 13 December 2024 01:39 PM
Two wrongs don't make a right. Don't divert attention by Whining "what about so and so?"
1 9
Priyanee Wijesekera Friday, 13 December 2024 12:24 PM
The NPP has claimed to have cleaned the Parliament but now it stinks to high heaven .
3 14
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 02:20 PM
It smelt so clean and nice when favourite RW was there. Happy?
7 1
Fact Friday, 13 December 2024 12:31 PM
Dr No. NPP production
0 7
Horu Karaya Friday, 13 December 2024 12:39 PM
Didn’t I tell you “We Sri Lankans are all Boru Show”
0 10
Jabila Friday, 13 December 2024 12:46 PM
Is this a desparate deliberation to undermine the legislature by the very party bombed the parliament? 2/3 is too heavy for them as they know that it is gonna be a trap that gives no tolarence to play games when it comes to scrap presidency or take firm decisions on power devolution while balancing bankrupt economy. There may be a depletion in 159 if opposition forward a no confidence motion as the Sepeaker got no qualification from Japan and even NPP MP"s if they are honest cannot reject such a motion.
2 9
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 01:02 PM
This vote system “like and dislike” buttons are faulty. If one presses “Like” that plus two or three “dislikes” appear. This has to be rectified. Similarly if one presses “dislike”.
3 2
Ballage Bandiya Friday, 13 December 2024 01:10 PM
What about Sarath Weerasekara. Why are all of you, now blaming the NPP , not raise the question of SW's bogus doctorate.
5 2
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 02:14 PM
Not only Sarath W, so many others. People sentenced for murder also sat in Parliament,drug dealers, gangsters etc. NPP can’t be compared to that culture, AKD has said that action will be taken against anyone in the government who is at fault BUT after careful consideration of all facts, which takes time. For goodness sake, this man has not killed or raped anyone, the allegation is deception, he needs to be heard, wait till next Tuesday.
4 2
DHA Friday, 13 December 2024 01:11 PM
People voted hoping to be governed by educated crowd and not thugs but suddenly wolves in sheep clothing seems more dangerous than normal wolves itself!
1 14
Dilakshan Seneviratne Friday, 13 December 2024 02:18 PM
They are educated but they are not saints.So wait till next Tuesday parliament sitting. How can this big thuggery? Look up that word in the dictionary please. Also your normal wolves ruined SL by the way.
4 0
Dr AKD Friday, 13 December 2024 01:32 PM
I got my doctorate from the Pelawatte University. My thesis was Frauds,fakes and fun.
0 3
Malaka Friday, 13 December 2024 03:43 PM
Then you should be in SLPP with Rajapakses. That's the ideal place for you.
3 2
Nayana Neelamani Friday, 13 December 2024 08:09 PM
Dr. AKD will have to probe his own batchmate/s ethics and conduct as well.
0 0
Nayana Neelamani Friday, 13 December 2024 08:09 PM
Dr. AKD will have to probe his own batchmate/s ethics and conduct as well.
0 0
ronikailadasa Friday, 13 December 2024 01:40 PM
Now I am talking, predicted 2 days ago that more will come out of the woodwork. It was too good to believe that genuine professionals will align themselves with this party. That high talker Wasatha is silent on the issue.
0 5
Pissu Hootans Friday, 13 December 2024 01:48 PM
Dr Jekyll’s and Mr Hyde’s.
0 4
Victor Friday, 13 December 2024 02:26 PM
All these years we voted and we had all sort of ministers and we went along now we have a couple of ministers who like to be Dr and others Sir Let the government elected by the people have a few years then vote them in or out when election time comes
1 0
Ranjan Friday, 13 December 2024 02:32 PM
Don't be panic and waste your time. Wait until they give their statements
4 0
Grace Friday, 13 December 2024 03:23 PM
Grace 8 passed Kaputa was Finance Minister.
1 1
mk Friday, 13 December 2024 03:28 PM
wow they are also like Namal and Chichi baby :D
0 1
Shame on them Friday, 13 December 2024 03:30 PM
For a couple of months Sri Lanka had the highest concentration of PhD holders in government. Expose all of them. I never liked NPP but AKD seems to be one of the good guys and unfortunately for him this deception causes public distrust of his government.
0 1
Aquarius Friday, 13 December 2024 06:11 PM
The candidates, now MPs, were aware that some were addressed as "Dr" although they had no credentials to go with it. It was up to each one of them to have settled the issue before getting exposed. Unfortunately, as I mentioned in another comment, sadly we love titles. whether earned or not! Hopefully, we can get this issue straightened out with the rest as it has tarnished the qualifications of the rest.
0 0
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