Minister of Education Bimal Rathnayake said former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala had been given sufficient time to produce his doctoral certificate and that he now believes Ranwala “has no certificate to present.”

He made the remarks during the political talk show Derana 360°, hosted by Kalindu Karunaratne, on 20 January.

Rathnayake said Ranwala had pledged to submit the certificate more than a year earlier but had failed to do so. He added that the party had already imposed the maximum political penalty by removing him from the Speakership.

“Ranwala was the third citizen of the country. Enough time has now passed for him to submit the certificate. I believe he doesn’t have a certificate. Removing a Speaker is the most severe political and personal penalty that can be imposed,” he said.

Rathnayake noted that Ranwala was recognised as a legitimate researcher but said the disciplinary decision was taken after an internal inquiry, adding that the issue had implications for the future of the party.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara has lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) seeking an investigation into an alleged conspiracy involving Parliamentary staff.

Karunaratne also questioned the Minister regarding a letter issued from the Office of the Leader of the House referring to Ranwala as “Doctor,” and whether inquiries into that matter had been obstructed. Rathnayake declined to elaborate, responding: “Do not waste your valuable airtime on such rumours. There is no importance in it.”