February 24 (Citizen.lk News) - Karuppiah Ramakrishnan, a prominent Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) representative for the Nuwara Eliya District, has issued a scathing condemnation of the Oxford and Cambridge Unions following the eleventh-hour cancellation of MP Namal Rajapaksa’s scheduled addresses in the United Kingdom.
In a powerful statement, Ramakrishnan accused the prestigious institutions of "capitulating to a vocal minority" and failing to uphold the very principles of free speech they claim to champion. He argued that the cancellations, spurred by protests from sections of the Tamil diaspora, represent a missed opportunity for reconciliation and a regression into "the politics of old wounds."
Peace is the Legacy of the Rajapaksa
Ramakrishnan emphasized that the peace currently enjoyed by all Sri Lankans is the direct result of the decisive leadership of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who brought the decades-long civil war to a close in 2009. "I must commend the fact that Mahinda Rajapaksa ended the civil war, which finally brought peace to our country," Ramakrishnan stated. "Sinhalese and Tamils are coexisting peacefully in Sri Lanka today. It is counterproductive for the diaspora to reopen old wounds when the people on the ground have moved toward a shared future."
A New Era for Upcountry Tamils
Drawing a sharp contrast between the past and present, Ramakrishnan highlighted the transformation of the Upcountry Tamil community. He recalled a time of fear and restricted movement, where daily life was dictated by the necessity of identity cards and constant surveillance.
"During the war, Upcountry Tamils faced immense hardships. People could not leave their residences without identity cards and often chose to remain indoors for safety. Today, that atmosphere of fear is gone," he said.
He further noted that the North and East witnessed their most significant developmental milestones during the Mahinda Rajapaksa era, asserting that the administration focused on rebuilding infrastructure and livelihoods in war-torn regions.
“Personal Agendas” vs. National Progress
While acknowledging the right to dissent, Ramakrishnan differentiated between the broader diaspora and what he termed "fringe elements" driven by personal gain.
"I don't blame the entire Tamil diaspora, but a few individuals are still very active in pursuing personal agendas for their own benefit," Ramakrishnan remarked. He called on the organizers at Oxford and Cambridge to be more discerning, urging them to verify whether such protests represent a genuine majority or merely a coordinated effort to silence opposing views.
Call to Action
Ramakrishnan concluded by urging international bodies to support Sri Lanka’s journey toward unity rather than providing a platform for divisive rhetoric. He called the cancellations a "stain" on the intellectual integrity of the UK’s most storied debating societies.
