The issue of fake academic qualifications to gain undue favour and attention is dominating public discourse today.
Whether it's fake credentials or merely fake news, I am not in a position to determine.
The first casualty of this controversy was the former Speaker of the House, Mr. Ranwala.
The first casualty of this controversy was the former Speaker of the House, Mr. Ranwala.
When social media articles questioned the legitimacy of his doctoral title, he promptly submitted his resignation.
Was it a voluntary decision, or was he coerced into stepping down?
Again, I leave that for others to decide.
What followed was significant: his "Doctor" title was removed from the Parliament website.
What followed was significant: his "Doctor" title was removed from the Parliament website.
Some blame a "Trojan horse" left by the previous regime for this act.
But the real intrigue lies elsewhere—how did the title disappear from his professional and personal social media accounts?
Was his account hacked, or did he quietly remove the title himself?
If a "Trojan horse" and a hacker were at play, this points to a meticulously orchestrated mudslinging campaign.
If a "Trojan horse" and a hacker were at play, this points to a meticulously orchestrated mudslinging campaign.
But if not, what does this imply about the situation?
The word "FEAR" offers two interpretations that may provide insight:
Forget Everything And Run.
Face Everything And Rise.
Which interpretation fits Mr. Ranwala's response?
This debate is not limited to Mr. Ranwala.
Forget Everything And Run.
Face Everything And Rise.
Which interpretation fits Mr. Ranwala's response?
This debate is not limited to Mr. Ranwala.
Two other prominent political figures—Mr. Sajith Premadasa and Mr. Namal Rajapaksa—have also been accused of holding fake credentials.
Unlike Mr. Ranwala, however, both faced these allegations head-on.
Despite the public backlash, neither accusation has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Revisiting history, there was another high-profile case decades ago when a politician claimed to have earned a degree from a prestigious European university.
Revisiting history, there was another high-profile case decades ago when a politician claimed to have earned a degree from a prestigious European university.
That claim, too, was challenged, yet no conclusive evidence was presented.
These incidents present two possible explanations:
Either the accusations are baseless.
The resilience—or thick skin—of these individuals differs significantly from Mr. Ranwala's.
This write-up does not aim to exonerate some while vilifying others.
These incidents present two possible explanations:
Either the accusations are baseless.
The resilience—or thick skin—of these individuals differs significantly from Mr. Ranwala's.
This write-up does not aim to exonerate some while vilifying others.
As members of the general public with limited access to investigative resources, we rely heavily on electronic and print media for the truth.
However, in the current scenario, the media appears to have become a participant in a tug-of-war with no clear winner.
Unfortunately, this leaves the public to believe whatever aligns with the "colour glasses" they wear.
The onus lies on the media to rise above this partisanship.
The onus lies on the media to rise above this partisanship.
Their "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" approach must give way to principled journalism that prioritizes truth over agenda.
Only then can we move beyond this quagmire of doubt and speculation?
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