Ashoka Ranwala was initially appointed Speaker after the National People’s Power (NPP) formed the government following its victory at the 2024 general election. However, questions arose over his doctoral qualification, prompting him to resign from the post within a short period. In his resignation letter, Ranwala had stated that he would publicly disclose his doctoral certificate soon, but he has yet to do so. According to LNW, the reason for the delay is reportedly that the doctorate certificate is issued under his monastic name rather than his lay name, Ashoka Sapumal Ranwala. Ranwala is said to have fled to Japan during the 1988/89 period of violence as a Buddhist monk under a monastic name, and the educational certificates he obtained in Japan were therefore issued under that name. When questions arose over his academic qualifications, he resigned as Speaker, reportedly in an effort to prevent further embarrassment to the government.
The NPP subsequently appointed Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne as Speaker. He has since faced several allegations, including an investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, while the opposition has also strongly criticised what it describes as his authoritarian conduct in Parliament. Against this backdrop, sources reportedly claim that the opposition has reached a consensus that former Speaker Ranwala was preferable to Wickramaratne. Accordingly, sources further said the opposition has unanimously agreed that it would have no objection to Ranwala being reappointed Speaker if the position becomes vacant again.
