Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera has alleged that many members of the current parliament have fraudulently misrepresented their educational qualifications. Speaking to the media, he claimed that information points to six individuals falsely presenting themselves as holding doctorate degrees.
“This government came to power promising to bring educated individuals into leadership, replacing what they called an ignorant parliament,” Perera remarked. “They published lists claiming these people were the most educated and hardworking. But now we find out that the Speaker himself does not even hold a B.Sc. degree, let alone the credentials he claimed.”
Perera also expressed skepticism about the Speaker’s purported qualifications, saying, “I doubt he even has an NDT (National Diploma in Technology). It’s alarming to see such widespread deceit among those who are supposed to lead this country.”
The MP called for a thorough investigation into the educational backgrounds of parliamentarians, stating that the public has a right to know the truth about their representatives.
“These are people who have lived a lie,” Perera said. “The revelations about fake qualifications go beyond the Speaker. It seems there are numerous others in the same category, including at least six individuals falsely claiming to be doctors.”
Perera’s remarks have sparked further debate on the issue of transparency and accountability among public officials. His comments come at a time when the resignation of Speaker Ashoka Ranwala, over questions about his academic qualifications, has already brought the issue of fraudulent claims to the forefront of public discourse.
Calls for stricter verification processes for political candidates and a commitment to truthfulness in public service are growing louder as the controversy unfolds.
