More parliamentary staffers grilled in connection with false ‘Dr.’ title inclusion to Justice Minister’s name

Thursday, 16 January 2025 02:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara

High-ranking official from Parliament’s House Registry Office among those grilled

Several parliamentary officials, including a high-ranking official from the Parliament’s House Registry Office, were summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday, for including a doctorate title before the name of Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara on the official Parliament website.

The CID commenced the investigation following a complaint lodged by Minister Nanayakkara on 16 December 2024, stating that a ‘Dr.’ title was included in front of his name on the official Parliament website.

The attorney-at-law Nanayakkara later told the media that it was needed to clarify whether someone had deliberately entered the ‘Dr.’ title to his name to tarnish his reputation or erode public trust in his political career.

However, following his complaint to the CID, the ‘Dr.’ title was removed from his name on the official Parliament website and the Parliamentary Secretariat had sent him a letter stating that this title was uploaded mistakenly on the website.

While visiting Parliament to record statements from the relevant officials, the CID had earlier also summoned several officials, including the Director of Communications (Acting) of the Parliament, to provide statements in this regard.

However, a letter issued from the office of the Leader of the House of the Parliament had stated that, based on information provided by the Leader of the House’s office, this title to Minister Nanayakkara’s name originated from this office.