News

Speaker resigns claiming he did not lie about his Ph.D.

Published

1 year ago

2024/12/15

Thilina Walpola

Says he has no documentary proof now but will present it later

by Anuradha Hiripitiyage

Asoka Sapumal Ranwala resigned from the position of Speaker of Parliament on Friday.

In a statement, Ranwala clarified that he had never lied about his educational qualifications but admitted that he currently lacks documentary proof of his academic achievements. He stated that he had been awarded a doctorate by a research institute affiliated with Waseda University in Japan and hoped to present the degree certificate in the future.

“However, given the confusion surrounding the issue and to prevent embarrassment for those who trusted and voted for this government, I have decided to resign from the post of Speaker for the time being,” Ranwala said in his statement.

Translation of the full text of the statement which is orginally in Sinhala: “Concerns have recently been raised regarding my academic qualifications. I want to clarify that I have never lied about my educational background. However, I am currently unable to provide documentary proof of my qualifications, as I do not possess certain certificates. I am in the process of obtaining these certificates from the relevant institutions.

I was awarded a doctorate by a research institute affiliated with Waseda University in Japan, and I am hopeful that I will be able to obtain the certificate from the institute and present it as soon as possible.

Given the confusion surrounding this issue, and in order to prevent embarrassment for those who have trusted and voted for this government, I have decided to resign from the position of Speaker for the time being.”

His resignation came after it became apparent that MPs of the JVP/NPP government were preparing to make a significant decision regarding a no-confidence motion against Ranwala, focusing on the legitimacy of his academic qualifications. The motion was prompted by ongoing questions about the authenticity of his doctoral degree if the matter was not clarified.

Sources within the NPP confirmed earlier on Friday that Speaker Ranwala was expected to address the controversy with a special statement when Parliament reconvenes next Tuesday (17), but he resigned in the evening.

Kalutara District SJB MP Ajith P. Perera told the media on Thursday that either the Speaker or the JVP/NPP government must clarify the issue regarding Ranwala’s doctorate. He stated that if the Speaker genuinely holds a valid doctorate, there would be no issue. However, the lack of response to media inquiries and the removal of the degree information from the parliamentary website raised concerns.

Perera further stated that the Speaker must present his qualifications within two weeks, or the opposition would proceed with the motion of no confidence. He also noted that the JVP/NPP MPs would face public scrutiny when deciding whether to support or oppose the motion, testing their loyalty to party lines versus public expectations.

The National Democratic Front (NDF), led by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has proposed the establishment of a parliamentary committee to verify the academic qualifications of all MPs, including the Speaker and Cabinet Ministers. This move aims to address growing concerns about the credibility of qualifications within the legislature.

Meanwhile, the SLPP announced their intention to introduce a no-confidence motion against Speaker Ranwala. Hambantota District MP D.V. Chanaka, speaking at a press conference in Colombo, criticized the Speaker over the issue, which he argued undermines public trust in the legislature. Chanaka also pointed out that, as the head of the Parliamentary Council and the Committee on High Offices, the Speaker is responsible for reviewing qualifications for key positions, making this issue of utmost importance.

SLPP Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam also addressed the press, highlighting the significance of the Speaker’s academic qualifications in maintaining the integrity of Parliament.

The issue of Ranwala’s education qualifications commenced with former chairman of the Election Commission Mahinda Deshapriya last week challenging Ranwala to prove his degree if he had claimed to have a doctorate. Deshapriya, in a Facebook post, stated that the Speaker should resign if he fails to do so. He also urged the NPP to take action if the Speaker fails to respond.

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News

Govt. extends ban on LTTE

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

The NPP government has issued a new extraordinary gazette renewing and extending Sri Lanka’s long-standing ban on the LTTE and several Tamil diaspora organisations and individuals, continuing to designate them as “terrorists”.

The gazette, published recently, replaces a previous gazette issued in May 2025 and reaffirmed the proscription of a wide range of Tamil political and advocacy bodies operating around the world, alongside dozens of named individuals. The government alleged both the organisations and individuals listed are involved in “terrorism-related activities”.

The organisations blacklisted by the Sri Lankan government include:

• Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)

• Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO)

• Tamil Coordinating Committee (TCC)

• World Tamil Movement (WTM)

• Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)

• World Tamil Relief Fund (WTRF)

• National Council of Canadian Tamils (NCCT)

• Tamil Youth Organisation (TYO)

While the majority of the designations mirror those contained in the May 2025 gazette, the latest document updates identification details and addresses for a number of individuals and introduces at least one additional organisation to the list. All entries have been reissued under new reference numbers for 2026, though the underlying allegations and framing remain unchanged.

Successive governemnts have maintained a sweeping proscription regime against Tamil diaspora groups and individuals. A ban can make it a criminal offence for Sri Lankan citizens to maintain contact with these organisations or their members, severely restricting political engagement and stifling links between the diaspora and the Tamil homeland.

The original mass listings were introduced in 2014 under the administration of Mahinda Rajapaksa. Despite repeated outcry, subsequent governments have continued to uphold and renew the proscription regime, even after the Rajapaksas were voted out of power.

News

Police obtain court order banning Wimal’s protest

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa addresses a gathering outside the Education Ministry on Monday before launching a protest demanding the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya as Education Minister over the inclusion of a link to an adult content website in the Grade 06 English module. (Pic by Thushara Atapattu)

Police yesterday (12) obtained an injunction order from the Kaduwela Magistrate’s court against the protest launched by National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa opposite the Education Ministry, Isurupaya, at Battaramulla.

Police informed Weerawansa of the court order. In line with the court order, the police informed Weerawansa that the road near the Ministry should not be obstructed and that no sound amplification equipment be used while the GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination is in progress. The examination, put off due to Cyclone Ditwah, recommenced yesterday.

News

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expresses optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path to progres

Published

3 hours ago

2026/01/13

Sahan Weerasooriya

FM Herath with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath held productive discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi today (12/01), during the latter’s brief visit to Sri Lanka.

The meeting aimed at further strengthening bilateral engagement and advancing the Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries. Both Ministers reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and time-tested cooperation between Sri Lanka and China rooted in centuries of exchanges and consolidated since the establishment of diplomatic relations seven decades ago. The discussion also focused on enhancing partnership in the areas of trade, investment, development cooperation and tourism.

Minister Herath extended deep appreciation to the Government and the people of China for the steadfast support extended to Sri Lanka following cyclone Ditwah and requested further support for the second phase of resettlement, relocation and rebuilding, particularly for the restoration of affected infrastructure including identified roads, railways and bridges that are vital to connectivity, economic recovery and daily lives of people. Minister Wang assured China’s fullest support for this initiative and expressed confidence that Sri Lanka will continue its rapid recovery under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayaka. He also welcomed the people-centric policies of the Government and expressed optimism that Sri Lanka is on the right path toward fulfilling aspirations of its people.

Minister Herath expressed appreciation for China’s constructive role in international fora and reiterated Sri Lanka’s firm commitment to the One China Policy and China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Both Ministers also recalled the successful high level exchanges in the recent past, including visits of the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka to China in 2025.