Sri Lanka, Feb. 23 -- The Oxford Union has cancelled a planned speaking event with SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa following backlash from Tamil student groups and campaigners. The Cambridge Union cancelled Rajapaksa's scheduled visit several days ago.

Rajapaksa had been scheduled to address the Oxford Union on 23rd February, with a corresponding event in Cambridge. The cancellations come after criticism from Tamil societies at multiple UK universities.

In statements circulated on Instagram, Tamil student groups said that to host Rajapaksa was to ignore "the deliberate bombing of civilian 'No-Fire Zones' and hospitals", "the systemic sexual violence used as a weapon of war", and "the enforced disappearances of tens of thousands". They also ci...