Oxford Union apologises to Namal for not allowing him to talk

It is postponed to another date in future, not cancelled

While apologising to Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa for not being able to proceed with his address to the Union, the Oxford Union has informed Namal that it had been rescheduled for a future date so that the lecture could be delivered without compromising the safety of the attendees.

 The Union has informed Namal that it was determined that the proceedings with the event would pose significant safety and operational risks and that it had received credible indications of a large scale protest activity and disruption.

“Based on the current risk assessment, ensuring the safety of guests, speakers, staff, and the wider public would require security measures that are not proportionate or practically deliverable within the venue’s constraints,” the Oxford Union’s President, Katherine Yang informed Namal in an email.

“In light of this advice, and in line with our duty of care, we have made the decision to postpone the event to a future term, when it can be delivered safely and without compromising the experience of attendees,” Yang said. 

Namal Rajapaksa is presently in the United Kingdom following the invitation which was extended by both the Cambridge and Oxford Unions, which were eventually held back due to protests from Tamil diaspora groups.