The visit of Namal Rajapaksa, a Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and the son of former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to the United Kingdom has sparked significant controversy. Many observers view it not as a private trip, but as a calculated attempt to re-establish the Rajapaksa family’s international standing. His scheduled speaking engagements at the Oxford Union and the Cambridge Union were widely interpreted as efforts to regain democratic legitimacy on the global stage, following years of criticism over governance and human rights concerns in Sri Lanka.
The announcements triggered strong opposition within the Tamil diaspora, particularly among university student groups in the UK. In a notable shift from past protests typically led by diaspora political organizations, more than 20 Tamil student associations across British universities issued a joint statement condemning the invitations. They argued that offering a platform to a political figure associated with a controversial ruling dynasty risked legitimizing past allegations of human rights violations.
Amid mounting pressure and concerns over security and the feasibility of hosting the events, Cambridge Union first cancelled the scheduled address. Shortly afterward, Oxford Union also officially called off Rajapaksa’s appearance just hours before it was due to take place. The cancellations were described by the organizing bodies as decisions made in light of the prevailing circumstances and student safety considerations.
Rajapaksa’s camp, however, characterized the move as a blow to freedom of expression and democratic principles. Supporters argued that denying him the opportunity to speak in established Western democratic forums contradicted the very values those institutions claim to uphold. Critics countered that the backlash reflected unresolved grievances over the past and ongoing accountability debates surrounding Sri Lanka’s post-war political leadership.
The episode has further fueled discussions in political and academic circles in the UK and beyond. Observers suggest that the incident could have broader implications for the Rajapaksa family’s international image and future political ambitions in Sri Lanka. At the same time, the coordinated response by Tamil student groups has been seen as evidence of the diaspora’s continued organizational strength and influence in shaping global discourse on Sri Lanka’s political legacy.
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