News
Many doctors and lawyers in incumbent parliament
by Saman Indrajith
Parliament authorities are still in the process of verifying the educational qualifications of all MPs, as several MPs, including former Speaker Asoka Ranwala, have not yet been able to provide the necessary documentary proof. This has led to a delay in determining the exact number of degree holders in the House, according to parliamentary sources.
Despite this, parliamentary records and the official website have provided insight into the qualifications of MPs, revealing that there are currently 20 MPs with MBBS degrees. The distribution of qualifications among MPs is as follows:
There are currently 20 MPs with MBBS degrees, including 16 from the NPP, two from ITAK, one from SJB, and one Independent. Additionally, 14 MPs hold BA degrees, with 13 from the NPP, one from ITAK, and one from SJB. The BSc qualification is held by 20 MPs, with 15 from the NPP, four from SJB, and one from SLPP. Five MPs hold BCom degrees, all from the NPP, while two MPs have BBMgmt degrees (one from NPP and one from SJB). One MP has a degree in BBus Stat (from NPP), and one MP (from ACMC) holds a BBA degree. There is also one MP with a dental degree (from NPP) and one MP with a veterinary degree (from NPP).
In terms of postgraduate qualifications, four MPs hold MA degrees, with two from NPP, one from SJB, and one from ITAK. There are two MPs with MSc degrees, both from NPP, and four MPs with MBA degrees, including two from NPP, one from SJB, and one from Mavubima Janatha Party. Furthermore, two MPs have MEd degrees, with one from NPP and one from ITAK. A total of 27 MPs hold AAL/LLB degrees, with 16 from NPP, seven from SJB, one from UNP, one from ITAK, one from SLMC, and one from ACTC. Finally, 11 MPs hold PhDs, with eight from NPP, two from SJB, and one from SLMC.
Parliamentary sources indicated that while efforts are ongoing to obtain and verify all educational documents, the current figures provide an overview of the range of academic qualifications held by MPs across different parties. Further updates will be provided once the full verification process is completed, the sources said.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
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