Strong protests from Tamil diaspora groups and UK student unions force Cambridge Union to withdraw Namal Rajapaksa’s scheduled lecture, igniting fresh debate over accountability, war legacy, and global platforms.
Namal Rajapaksa’s planned appearance before prestigious student bodies in Britain has been abruptly halted following intense opposition from sections of the Tamil diaspora and university student organizations. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna national organizer and Member of Parliament had been invited to address the Oxford Union and Cambridge Union, but mounting protests have altered the course of events.
Tamil student unions representing more than 20 universities across the United Kingdom, together with the Tamil Youth Organization UK, issued a joint statement objecting to the February 25 lecture series. They called for the immediate suspension of the invitation, arguing that offering such a global academic platform raises serious moral and political concerns.
Protest organizers maintain that Namal Rajapaksa cannot be separated from the broader political legacy of the Rajapaksa administration during Sri Lanka’s civil war. They point to allegations of civilian attacks, enforced disappearances, and human rights violations, asserting that he remains part of the same governance structure. Additional claims involving legal malpractice and financial misappropriation have also been cited in their objections.
According to the protesting groups, allowing the MP to speak at internationally respected forums risks undermining ongoing conversations about accountability and justice. They further stated that the pain of affected communities should not be diluted in political dialogue, while emphasizing their intention to continue peaceful protest.
