FUTA demands Govt. investigation into banning of anti-IMF seminar at UoP

The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has called on the Government to investigate an incident involving the alleged obstruction of academic freedom at the University of Peradeniya (UoP). 

The FUTA condemned the actions of the University’s Vice Chancellor Terrence Madhujith, who reportedly intervened to prevent a seminar on the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) impact on Sri Lanka from taking place as scheduled.

The seminar, organised by the Political Science Students’ Union in collaboration with the International Students and Youth for Social Equality, was planned for 3 January, on University premises. According to the FUTA, the Vice Chancellor instructed the organisers to either change the title of the event or cancel it entirely.

In a strongly worded statement, the FUTA described the Vice Chancellor’s actions as a blatant interference in academic freedom, warning that such decisions undermine the principles of intellectual exploration and open dialogue that universities are meant to uphold.

“Universities are foundational spaces for critical thought, open dialogue, and the exchange of diverse ideas,” the FUTA stated. “The suppression of critical discourse curtails the academic rights of students and faculty and erodes trust in the leadership of our higher education institutions.”

The FUTA expressed deep concern over the precedent such actions could set, arguing that they threaten the ethos of universities as bastions of intellectual freedom. The Association reiterated the urgent need to safeguard academic freedom and ensure that universities remain spaces for the free exchange of ideas without fear of censorship or reprisal.

The FUTA has urged the Government to take immediate steps to investigate the matter and reaffirm its commitment to upholding academic freedom within Sri Lankan universities.

Daily FT  Monday, 6 January 2025

Former Chairperson of Human Rights Commission Prof. Deepika Udagama

Prof. Udagama condemns Peradeniya Uni ban on IMF austerity programme lecture

Published

 16 hours ago 

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 2025/01/6 The Island

Former Chairperson of Human Rights Commission Prof. Deepika Udagama yesterday (05) strongly condemned the cancellation of a lecture, titled ‘How to fight against the IMF austerity programme,’ at the Peradeniya University.

Responding to The Island query in this regard, Prof. Udagama said: “This reported move to censor a programme, within a university, is surprising and is extremely problematic to say the least. It sets a chilling precedent. Universities are critically important sites of free speech as sharing of thoughts and ideas on any subject, however disagreeable or unsavoury to the authorities or anyone else, is essential for the generation of ideas. If academia is gagged, the democratic spirit in the country, too, suffers. If academia is sent the message that it cannot enjoy academic freedom, then what is the guarantee to the citizens of the right to free expression? “

She added: “One hopes that this intervention will be withdrawn and confidence restored. If the government, indeed, has not prevailed upon the university to interfere with the programme, it should give assurances to the public. “

Earlier, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE-Sri Lanka) strongly condemned the cancellation by the Vice Chancellor of Peradeniya University. The lecture, sponsored by the Political Science Students’ Association (PSSA) of the Department of Political Science, was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on January 04. The PSSA had obtained prior approval from the Department head, Professor Upul Abeyratne, and arranged for the lecture to be held in Room 86 of the Political Science Department.

Senior Treasurer of the PSSA, Senior Lecturer Sumudu Walakulu, has informed the IYSSE convener of the cancellation. Walakulu explained: “I have received a message from the Acting Vice Chancellor, through the Dean, Faculty of Arts and the Head Political Science, to revise the topic of the speech and advertise accordingly so as not to appear that the meeting challenges the government policies or else consider hereby that the above meeting be suspended immediately.”

The Vice Chancellor’s actions are a blatant violation of the democratic rights of the PSSA, university students as a whole, and the IYSSE.

Walakulu further said that “due to the severity of the message” from senior university officials, he advised the PSSA President to cancel the event. He pointed out, however, that changing the meeting topic was at odds with PSSA’s objective of making “various insights” on Sri Lanka’s economic crisis available to “the university community.”⍐

PM Harini denies involvement in cancelling lecture at Peradeniya Uni.

January 5, 2025   ADA

The Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, has categorically denied any involvement in the cancellation of the scheduled lecture organized by the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at Peradeniya University. 

Issuing a statement, 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.

Furthermore, the Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education has assured that no directive or instruction was issued from this office regarding the event, noting that the autonomy of academic institutions is a principle that the government is committed to upholding.

“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”, it added.

The statement also added that Dr. Amarasuriya reaffirms her unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of students and educators to engage in meaningful and critical discourse, mentioning that upholding these principles is vital to maintaining the trust and confidence of the university community and the public at large.