A collective of 58 prominent academics, professionals, and civil society members has issued a forceful statement condemning what they describe as a “vicious campaign of vilification” and personalised attacks targeting Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Harini Amarasuriya. The group expressed deep concern that the rhetoric has bypassed the boundaries of civilised democratic dissent, characterising the attacks as being rooted in misogynistic jealousy and animosity. They noted that Amarasuriya, a respected political leader both at home and abroad, is being unfairly targeted due to her gender.
The signatories emphasised that while they recognise the right to criticise policy and hold officials accountable, the current wave of hostility violates the Prime Minister’s dignity and personhood. The statement argued that the organised hatred transgresses the ethical limits of protest and appears driven by narrow political and ideological objectives. The group expressed particular disappointment that certain members of the clergy have participated in the attacks.
The recent surge in criticism followed reports of a serious error in a school textbook produced under the Ministry of Education. While the signatories acknowledged this was a “serious, yet avoidable” mistake, they welcomed the government’s transparency in admitting the fault and initiating a police inquiry. They stressed that a technical or administrative error should not be used as a shield for gender-based abuse or homophobic rhetoric, which they claim undermines the humanist values of Sri Lankan society.
The statement highlighted a troubling historical pattern in Sri Lanka, noting that previous female leaders—including the world’s first woman Prime Minister and Sri Lanka’s first woman President—faced similar gender-based vitriol. The group praised Amarasuriya’s parliamentary record, describing it as exemplary and marked by decency, courage in the face of opposition, intellectual contributions to national debates, and respectful engagement with political opponents. The collective concluded by calling for an immediate end to the campaign, urging the public to reject regressive propaganda and uphold the values of respect and accountability in political discourse.
Signatories:
- Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda
- Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe
- Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya
- Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy
- M. A. Sumanthiran PC
- Prof. Uthpala A. Jayawardena
- Prof. Anbahan Ariyadurai
- Prof. Nira Wickramasinghe
- Prof. Farzana Haniffa
- Prof. Prince Jeyadevan
- Prof. Vivemarie Vanderpoortan
- Prof. Rohan Fernando
- Prof. Wasantha Senevirathne
- Prof. Kanchana N. Ruwanpura
- Charith Gunawardena
- Vidura Munasinghe
- Sandun Thudugala
- Priyanthi Fernando
- Bhavani Fonseka
- Janaha Selvaras
- Dr. Mahendran Thiruarangan
- Dr. Amali Wedagedara
- Dr. Thiyagaraja Waradas
- Dr. Athulasiri Samarakoon
- Dr. S. Jeevasuthan
- Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe
- Dr. Dileepa Witharana
- Dr. Sithumini Rathnamalala
- Dr. S. Arivalzahan
- Dr. Mariadas Alfred
- Dr. N. Varathan
- Dr. Kaushalya Perera
- Dr. Crystal Baines
- Ermiza Tegal
- Vangeesa Sumanasekara
- Shreen Abdul Saroor
- Sarala Emmanuel
- Hiranyada Dewasiri
- Wimal Saminathan
- Eng. M. Sooriasegaram
- Shiranee Mills
- Dr. Chulani Kodikara
- Robert Crusz
- Ruki Fernando
- Dr. Pradeep Pieris
- Prof. Neloufer de Mel
- Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri
- Dr. Ramesh Ramasamy
- Dr. Susantha Basnayake
- Dr. Shamala Kumar
- Prof. Pavithra Kailasapathy
- Dr. Madhubhashini Ratnayake
- Dr. Mohammed Fazil
- Dr. K. D. Dushanthi de Silva
- Deanne Uyangoda
- Nehama Jayawardene
- V. Kamalasiri
- Prof. M.A.F. Ibrahim
