Speaker decides to step down
Speaker Ashoka Ranwala yesterday said that he has decided to step down from his post following allegations regarding the authenticity of his educational qualifications.
In his statement, the Speaker assured the public that he had never made any false claims about his qualifications.
But said he does not possess certain documents required to validate his educational credentials at this moment.
He stated that while he has requested the necessary documents from the relevant institutions, it is challenging to produce them urgently.
He further noted that the relevant documentation can be obtained from the research institution affiliated with Japan’s Waseda University, which had awarded him a doctorate, and he intends to present them as soon as possible.
“However, considering the prevailing situation and to avoid inconveniencing the government and the people who placed their trust in us, I have decided to resign from the position of Speaker,” he said.
The controversy surrounding Ranwala’s doctorate recently gained traction on social media, leading to the Sri Lanka Parliament’s website removing the title “Dr.” from his profile in the members’ directory.
Opposition parties have also called for clarity on whether he genuinely holds a doctorate, urging the government to address growing public suspicion.