• Namal blames organised pressure, says remains committed to spirit of open dialogue

The Oxford Union has cancelled a planned speaking event with SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa following backlash from Tamil student groups and campaigners, just days after the Cambridge Union cancelled his scheduled visit.

Rajapaksa had been scheduled to address the Oxford Union yesterday (23). The cancellations come after criticism from Tamil societies at multiple UK universities. 

In a statement confirming the cancellation, the Oxford Union President Katherine Yang said, “A core part of the Union’s purpose is enabling direct, open questioning from students. In this case, a significant number of the students most closely connected to the subject matter communicated that they did not feel safe asking questions openly. While alternative formats (such as submitting questions indirectly) were considered, …I felt that the inability of those most affected to participate directly undermined the substance of the forum. An event where key stakeholders cannot engage on equal footing does not produce the kind of robust debate that the Union is intended to facilitate.”

Responding in a statement, Rajapaksa said: "The traditions of the Oxford Union and the Cambridge Union have, for generations, represented the highest ideals of free inquiry, rigourous debate, and intellectual courage. Speakers invited to these historic forums are expected to face difficult questions, defend their views, and engage with opposing perspectives before an informed and critical audience. It was precisely this spirit of open dialogue that I looked forward to participating in and welcomed without reservation. It is therefore deeply unfortunate that circumstances arising from organised pressure prevented these engagements from taking place. 

“Universities and debating societies have long been spaces where disagreement is addressed through discussion rather than disruption, and where ideas are challenged through argument rather than silenced by intimidation. I would have welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with critics, including those who strongly oppose my views, because meaningful reconciliation and progress can only emerge when differing perspectives meet in open conversation. Denying such engagement does not strengthen democracy. It weakens it by replacing debate with division. I remain grateful to both Unions for their invitation and understand the difficult position in which they found themselves. I hope that in the future we will have the opportunity to meet in a forum where dialogue prevails and discussion is encouraged," Rakapaksa said.

With inputs from foreign media