Buddhika urges govt. to tackle honorary degree rackets

By Saman Indrajith

Matara District SJB MP Buddhika Pathriana told Parliament, on Tuesday, that a rich person would soon be able to buy an honorary doctorate even for his or her pet dog if the business of selling degrees and honorary titles continued, without the government taking preventive measures.

MP Pathirana said there were many institutions conferring honorary titles, such as Professor, Doctor, Kala Nidi, Vidya Keerthi, Vidya Jothi, Desha Bandu, Desha Keerthi, Deshamanya, Vishwa Keerthi, and Desha Shakthi. “Anyone can purchase them for Rs 30,000 or 40,000. These racketeers select about 40 candidates including an MP, a Provincial Council member or two, and one or two media personnel, who ensure the convocation receives media coverage. This practice has to be ended immediately,” the MP said.

“Some MPs have attended such convocations and receive ‘doctorates’. I have pictures of them taken at such event. This matter of selling honorary titles has been raised in the Committee on Public Enterprises. This has to be stopped. This is a cause of huge embarrassment, as well as unjust, to those who obtain their academic or professional qualifications after years of hard work. Those are given by the universities, recognised by the University Grants Commission.

“I am not referring to the honorary titles given by the Mahanayakes. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, too, have been given such titles. There are also honorary titles conferred by the President of the country. Except for those, all other titles are bogus. We must introduce new laws to prevent this sordid practice.

SLFP leader MP Maithripala Sirisena: Selling degrees for money is an illegal business. There are laws against it. As per law, only a President could confer the titles such as Lankabhimani, Deshaputhra and Deshabhimani. As per this business, when one pays Rs 15,000 or 20,000 he is given a receipt and invited for the convocation to obtain the honorary title of his choice out of around 100 titles. This illicit business has to be stopped.

SJB Kalutara District MP Dr Rajitha Senaratne: There are laws for the prevention of this. You do not need new laws for that. All you have to do is implement the existing law against this menace. Under that law all bogus titles could be banned.

NFF Leader MP Wimal Weerawansa: What would happen to DIG Deshabandu Thennakoon if you ban the use of Deshabandu as a part of name?

Leader of the House Education Minister Susil Premajayantha: If Deshabandu is a part of the name of the person that would remain.

A PhD candidate spends around four years’ full time to get his degree. If he chooses part time it would be eight years. Now, anyone can buy a PhD without sacrificing such effort and time. I will look into bring a motion to amend existing laws or to bring new laws needed to stop this business.