Ranwala Responds to Degree Controversy and Political Challenges

Former Speaker and National People’s Power (NPP) MP Asoka Sapumal Ranwala has expressed regret if his tenure has cast a negative image on the government, stating that he is committed to rectifying any concerns. Speaking in an interview with BBC Sinhala, he addressed several controversial issues, including his academic qualifications, political challenges, and key policy priorities.

Reflecting on his shortest-serving Speakership—which lasted only two months before his resignation on February 13—Ranwala emphasized that he did not enter politics for positions of power but to serve the people. He reiterated his commitment to tackling major issues such as bio-fertilizer research, flood mitigation along the Kelani River, and ensuring government control over the petroleum sector.

Discussing the recurring flood problem in the Kelani River, he described it as a unique ecosystem and stressed his responsibility to protect it. He suggested that redirecting excess water could be a viable solution to prevent severe flooding affecting residents. He also reaffirmed his long-term goal of keeping the petroleum sector under government control, a policy he believes is crucial for the country’s economic stability.

Ranwala’s resignation as Speaker was largely overshadowed by questions regarding his academic qualifications, specifically his PhD from a research institute affiliated with Waseda University in Japan. In his resignation statement on December 13, 2024, he pledged to submit the necessary academic documents to clarify the legitimacy of his degree. However, when asked about the issue again, Ranwala downplayed its relevance, asserting that the matter had been politically weaponized to disrupt parliamentary proceedings.

He argued that during his time as Speaker, Parliament had been engaged in critical decisions regarding school books, school uniforms, and financial relief for low-income citizens. He alleged that a planned effort was made to divert attention from these matters by focusing on his credentials. While maintaining that he has no issue presenting his academic records, he questioned whether Parliament had an official procedure for MPs to submit such documents.

Ranwala dismissed the controversy as a two-step process that has no direct impact on governance, adding that his focus remains on policy-making and addressing the real concerns of the public. Despite his resignation as Speaker, he affirmed his continued active role in the NPP’s political mission and legislative work.