Mystery of Namal’s Law Degree Hits Parliament Floor

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa raised serious questions about the authenticity of MP Namal Rajapaksa’s legal qualifications, citing multiple investigative reports published online.

Jayatissa told the House that journalist Nirmala Kannangara had exposed discrepancies surrounding Rajapaksa’s law degree from the City University of London—not to be confused with the University of London—and its subsequent use for enrollment in Sri Lanka Law College and a master’s program at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura.

Among the allegations:

A certificate issued on 15 September 2009 was reportedly signed by a Vice Chancellor who had resigned 54 days earlier, raising doubts about its validity.

Namal Rajapaksa applied for the Law College entrance exam on 25 September 2009, even though the City University of London was only recognized by Law College on 15 October 2009.

Rajapaksa claims to hold a Bachelor of Law with Honors Class 3, a qualification that does not meet UK standards for legal registration.

Jayatissa said these revelations, detailed in reports titled “The Mystery of Namal’s Law Degree” and “No Degree Certificate in Namal’s Law College File Admission”, have sparked concern.

He urged Rajapaksa to appear before Parliament after lunch to clarify the matter “to protect the dignity of the House and its members.”