Former Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission, Prof. Deepika Udagama, has strongly condemned the cancellation of a lecture titled “How to Fight Against the IMF Austerity Programme” at Peradeniya University on January 4.
Speaking to The Island, Prof. Udagama described the move as “surprising and extremely problematic.” She warned that such censorship within a university sets a dangerous precedent. “Universities are critical spaces for free speech, where the exchange of ideas—no matter how disagreeable or unsavory to authorities or others—is essential for intellectual growth,” she emphasized. “Gagging academia undermines the democratic spirit of the country. If academic freedom is compromised, what assurances remain for the citizens’ right to free expression?”
Prof. Udagama expressed hope that the decision would be reversed to restore confidence in academic freedom. She urged the government, if uninvolved in the university’s decision, to reassure the public of its commitment to non-interference in such matters.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE-Sri Lanka) also condemned the Vice Chancellor’s decision to cancel the lecture. The event, organized by the Political Science Students’ Association (PSSA) and approved by the department head, was scheduled to take place in Room 86 of the Political Science Department.
According to Senior Treasurer of the PSSA, Senior Lecturer Sumudu Walakulu, the Acting Vice Chancellor had directed the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and the Head of the Political Science Department to either revise the topic to avoid challenging government policies or suspend the meeting altogether. Citing the severity of the message, Walakulu advised the PSSA to cancel the lecture, despite noting that altering the topic conflicted with the association’s aim of fostering diverse perspectives on Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
The Vice Chancellor’s actions have been criticized as a blatant violation of the democratic rights of the PSSA, university students, and the IYSSE.
