The controversy over Speaker Asoka Sapumal Ranwala’s educational qualifications has escalated, with the Sri Lanka Parliament website recently removing the title “Dr.” from his profile in the members’ directory. Previously listed as “Dr. Asoka Ranwala,” his name now appears as “Asoka Ranwala MP,” fueling further doubts about the legitimacy of his claimed doctorate.

Who is Asoka Ranwala?

Ranwala, a first-time Member of Parliament, was appointed Speaker during his inaugural parliamentary session. According to his LinkedIn profile, he graduated from the University of Moratuwa in Chemical Engineering. He also claimed to have completed a PhD in Biochemistry from Waseda University, Japan, and served as the director of the BioGenic Green Technology Research Institute, which focuses on sustainable agricultural practices.

Professionally, Ranwala held positions at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Sapugaskanda Refinery. He currently serves as President of the Petroleum Public Employees Union. Politically, Ranwala has represented the Biyagama Local Government body and the Western Provincial Council.

The Beginning of the Controversy

The controversy began when Kumara Kaluarachchi, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Rajarata University, questioned the authenticity of Ranwala’s PhD in a Facebook post. This sparked a social media outcry, with many demanding that the Speaker disclose his academic credentials.

Former Election Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya added to the uproar, publicly challenging Ranwala to prove the legitimacy of his doctorate. In a strongly-worded Facebook post, Deshapriya called for the Speaker’s resignation if he fails to provide evidence and urged the National People’s Power (NPP) to intervene.

The controversy deepened when Ranwala’s LinkedIn profile, which previously detailed his academic qualifications, was deactivated. His Wikipedia page, which once referred to him as “Dr. Asoka Ranwala,” was also edited to remove the title.

Ranwala’s Response

Despite the allegations, Ranwala has yet to provide formal documentation to substantiate his claims. Speaking to the media, he insisted he holds a legitimate PhD and accused critics of conducting a smear campaign to discredit him.

Notably, while the Parliament website has updated his profile to remove the “Dr.” title, previous press releases continue to refer to him as “Dr. Asoka Ranwala.”

The Public Reaction

The public outcry shows no signs of subsiding, with many calling for Ranwala’s resignation over allegations of falsifying his qualifications. However, both Ranwala and the Government remain silent, offering no official clarification.

In response to the growing controversy, Asian Mirror has filed Right to Information (RTI) requests with the relevant authorities and is awaiting their responses.