Minister of Justice and National Integration Harshana Nanayakkara lodged a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (16 December) regarding the erroneous inclusion of the title “Dr.” before his name on the official Parliament website.
Speaking to the media after filing the complaint, Nanayakkara expressed suspicion that the incorrect information might have been deliberately added to undermine his reputation or damage public trust in his political career.
“I am a lawyer with 25 years of practice. I have never used the title ‘Dr.’—not on visiting cards, nor in any official capacity. I even corrected this clearly in the CV I submitted. I do not have a doctorate, so where did this come from?” he questioned.
He further stated that Parliament had acknowledged the error, removed the title, and issued an apology. However, the misinformation had already been widely circulated in both print and electronic media, causing significant harm to his reputation.
Nanayakkara called for a thorough investigation, emphasizing the need to determine whether this was an isolated mistake or a deliberate act. “Taking everything as a whole, anyone would reasonably doubt whether this was done intentionally to defame me or damage trust in my politics,” he said.
The minister noted that his legal team is evaluating the possibility of filing a civil case or seeking compensation after the investigation. “Although their masters have been removed, the daggers are still everywhere—small and invisible,” he stressed.
Nanayakkara urged authorities to launch an investigation, not to target individuals but to uncover the truth behind the incident. He stressed the importance of accountability, saying, “Parliament now is not what it was in the past. That’s why an investigation is necessary to determine if this was just a mistake or part of a planned act.”
Related news: Parliament Apologises for Mislabeling Justice Minister as ‘Dr.’
