Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has denied any involvement in the cancellation of the scheduled lecture organized by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at Peradeniya University, The Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education announced today (05).
The Prime Minister’s Office said that Dr. Amarasuriya has consistently championed academic freedom and democratic engagement, values fundamental to fostering critical discourse in educational institutions.
“The allegations suggesting that the Prime Minister and Minister of Education influenced the university’s decision to cancel the lecture are entirely baseless and misleading,”the statement highlighted.
“Universities must remain places where diverse opinions, including critiques of Government policies, can be freely expressed and discussed without fear of suppression. Nevertheless, we express concern about any action that undermines democratic expression and open dialogue within academic spaces”, the statement noted.
It further went on to mention that Dr. Amarasuriya reaffirms her ‘unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of students and educators to engage in meaningful and critical discourse’ adding that upholding these principles is vital to ‘maintaining the trust and confidence of the university community and the public at large.’
