A fresh controversy erupted in Parliament today as Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa questioned the legitimacy of MP Namal Rajapaksa’s law degree, citing a series of investigative reports published online.
Addressing the House, Dr. Jayatissa referenced detailed exposés by journalist Nirmala Kannangara, which allege significant inconsistencies in Rajapaksa’s academic records from the City University of London—not to be mistaken for the University of London. The degree was reportedly used for Rajapaksa’s admission to Sri Lanka Law College and later for a master’s program at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura.
Among the key allegations highlighted:
- A degree certificate dated 15 September 2009 was allegedly signed by a Vice Chancellor who had resigned 54 days prior, raising concerns about its authenticity.
- Rajapaksa is said to have applied for the Law College entrance exam on 25 September 2009, despite the City University of London being officially recognized by Law College only on 15 October 2009.
- The MP claims to possess a Bachelor of Law with Honors Class 3, a qualification that does not meet standard UK requirements for legal professional registration.
Dr. Jayatissa noted that the revelations—detailed in reports titled “The Mystery of Namal’s Law Degree” and “No Degree Certificate in Namal’s Law College File Admission”—have raised serious public concerns regarding transparency and due process.
He called on Namal Rajapaksa to appear before Parliament after the lunch break to provide an explanation, stressing that doing so was necessary “to protect the dignity of the House and its members.”
