by Our Correspondent in Colombo
In a dramatic twist, the political scene has been thrown into turmoil as new allegations of fraudulent educational qualifications emerge, following the forced resignation of the Speaker of Parliament, Asoka Sapumal Ranwala. The ruling party, which had claimed a supermajority after the general elections on November 14, is now facing a crisis of credibility, with key figures under the public investigation for allegedly misleading the public with fake qualifications.
After the Speaker’s resignation over failure to present verifiable educational credentials, the spotlight quickly shifted to the Deputy Speaker, Dr. Rizvie Salih, who is now under fire for his controversial claims about his medical qualifications. During his election campaign, Dr. Salih portrayed himself as a highly qualified medical expert, but recent revelations suggest that his qualifications may not be as legitimate as he presented them.
In a public statement, Dr. Salih defended his credentials, stating he holds an MBBS degree from Nishtar Medical College in Multan, Pakistan, completed in 1986, along with a Diploma in Laryngo Otorhinology (DLO) from the University of Colombo. He also claimed to have 38 years of experience and emphasized his registration with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC). However, critics quickly pointed out serious flaws in his claims.
Dr. Salih’s registration with the SLMC is under Section 15, a temporary category that was granted to foreign-trained doctors who could only practice under supervision. This kind of registration prohibits independent practice, making his role as a General Practitioner (GP) questionable. Furthermore, his registration under Section 15 was issued in 1998, 12 years after his graduation, raising serious questions about how he obtained it when proper evaluations under Act 16 were already in place by that time.
Perhaps most damaging are the accusations that Dr. Salih misrepresented himself as a specialist doctor. In a televised interview, he claimed to have worked as an ENT surgeon and as a Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at DGH Nuwara Eliya and Induruwa. However, these claims have been debunked, as someone with only temporary registration could not hold such senior positions.
The backlash against Dr. Salih has been swift, with many calling for his resignation. Critics argue that such deceptions are not just an individual mistake but a serious breach of public trust. “As more details come to light, the public’s anger grows, and the ruling government finds itself in deeper trouble,” a political analyst said.
