• The Constitution does not specify edu. qualifications

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (8) stated that it holds no responsibility or duty concerning the educational qualifications of Parliamentarians or their authenticity.

This follows the controversy which has arisen regarding whether Speaker of Parliament Dr. Asoka Ranwala has genuinely earned the doctorate degree he claims to hold from a foreign university. 

When contacted by The Daily Morning regarding the matter, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that the EC did not hold any responsibility or duty regarding MPs' educational qualifications and their authenticity, adding there was also no particular minimum education qualification that an MP should have achieved. 

"The Constitution does not specify educational qualifications that an MP should have received.” “Even when nominations are being granted, we do not look into their educational qualifications. It is something totally irrelevant to us,” Rathnayake said. 

With the controversy about the authenticity of the Speaker’s qualifications being called into question, multiple attempts to contact the Speaker and National People's Power General Secretary, Dr. Nihal Abeysinghe regarding the allegations, proved futile.

Article 90 of the Constitution sets down the basic provision that every person who is qualified to be a voter is also qualified to be elected as an MP unless such person is disqualified under the specific provisions enumerated in the relevant Constitutional provisions.