Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa challenged Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, stating he will resign from Parliament if allegations of fraud in his Law College examination are proven.

Rajapaksa was responding to accusations made by Samarasinghe on 17 December regarding his educational qualifications. The allegations specifically claimed that Rajapaksa received assistance during the Law College examination.

Samarasinghe alleged that, according to an eyewitness who was a student at the time, Rajapaksa sat for the exam in a special air-conditioned room, where two lawyers assisted him in completing the papers. Samarasinghe further claimed that the eyewitness now resides in the UK due to receiving death threats.

Responding on 18 December, Rajapaksa denied the allegations, calling them blatant lies.

“Now you are in government. You have the power to investigate this and invite the eyewitness to testify. You accused me using parliamentary privileges. You claimed to be changing the political culture, but clearly, that hasn’t happened. Stop using parliamentary privileges to spread lies,” Rajapaksa said.

He also stated that the issue is not just about him but concerns the reputation of Sri Lanka Law College.

Samarasinghe, addressing Parliament, said that the eyewitness contacted him on 17 December, following his speech, and expressed willingness to return to Sri Lanka soon.

“The eyewitness can lodge a complaint, and an investigation can begin. You (Rajapaksa) will also have the opportunity to testify,” Samarasinghe said.

In turn, Rajapaksa challenged Samarasinghe, stating that if the allegations against him are proven, he will resign as an MP. However, if the allegations are proven false, he demanded that Samarasinghe resign instead.