The educational qualifications of Thanura Dissanayake, a Member of Parliament elected from Kundasale, Kandy, have come under scrutiny after his degree was removed from the official Sri Lankan Parliament website. Dissanayake, who was actively promoted as an Information Technology (IT) Engineer during his parliamentary campaign, now faces questions about the accuracy of his qualifications.
In the campaign advertisements used during his election, Dissanayake was presented as an IT engineer, a title that played a significant role in his appeal to voters. However, the Parliament website no longer lists his degree and instead lists his profession under the vague category “Other.” Furthermore, his educational qualifications are now stated as a diploma in Information Technology, leading to questions about how a diploma holder can be referred to as an engineer.
The situation has raised concerns about the authenticity of educational claims made by politicians and public figures. While the Parliament website does mention Dissanayake as holding a diploma, the discrepancy between the advertised title of “IT Engineer” and the qualifications listed on the official record has drawn criticism. Critics argue that the use of such titles in campaign materials could mislead voters, especially in an era where academic credentials are seen as a crucial part of a candidate’s credibility.
This incident adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the educational qualifications of various MPs, particularly those from the National People’s Power (NPP), a party that has been vocal about the importance of integrity and transparency in governance. The party has yet to address the controversy publicly, and questions remain about how other MPs from the NPP may have presented their qualifications during their campaigns.
Dissanayake’s case further amplifies the broader issue of the accuracy of educational qualifications in Sri Lankan politics, where discrepancies have sometimes led to political fallout.
