Former Minister Champika Ranawaka has leveled serious accusations against the Secretary General of Parliament and the Parliament website in relation to the ongoing controversy over the educational qualifications of government ministers. He claims that parliamentary employees are being called to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for questioning, which he believes is part of an attempt to intimidate staff and turn the CID into a political tool.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, Ranawaka alleged that the Secretary General of Parliament, who is responsible for maintaining the official records and operations of Parliament, is playing a key role in the dispute. He further suggested that the Secretary General’s actions are part of a broader conspiracy orchestrated by the Rajapaksa family, citing the fact that her husband, Harigupta Rohanadeera, serves as a legal advisor to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Ranawaka called into question the motives behind involving the CID, stating that any concerns related to the Parliament website or the Secretary General’s duties should be addressed directly with the Secretary General, rather than involving law enforcement. He expressed concern that the actions being taken could lead to the politicization of the CID, turning it into an instrument of political repression, similar to the Cheka police force used in the Soviet Union.
The former Minister also criticized the government’s handling of the issue, pointing out that, in past situations where similar issues arose, they were resolved through direct communication with the Speaker and the Secretary General, without the need for CID intervention. He emphasized that the IT department of Parliament has made significant efforts to address such problems internally, without resorting to external threats or intimidation.
Ranawaka’s remarks have sparked a broader debate on the role of Parliament’s leadership and the use of law enforcement agencies for political purposes, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic processes in Sri Lanka.
