Academics and Professionals condemn vilification campaign against PM Harini

On Jan 10, 2026

A group of academics, professionals, and civil society members has issued a strong statement condemning what they describe as a vicious campaign of vilification and personalized attacks against Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Harini Amarasuriya.

The statement expresses deep concern that the attacks have gone beyond the limits of civility and decency in a democratic society, noting that many are motivated by misogynistic jealousy, hatred, and animosity because PM Amarasuriya is a respected woman political leader nationally and internationally.

The signatories vehemently condemned the campaign and appealed to the public not to be misled by propaganda from regressive elements.

They acknowledged that recent criticisms stemmed from reports of a serious, yet avoidable, error in a school textbook prepared under the Ministry of Education, but stressed that the organized campaign of hatred against the Prime Minister transgresses ethical boundaries of dissent and protest, violating her dignity and personhood.

The statement further observed that the hate campaign appears driven by narrow political and ideological objectives, with disappointment expressed that even some members of the clergy have participated.

It highlighted that women political leaders in Sri Lanka, including the world’s first woman Prime Minister and Sri Lanka’s first woman President, have historically faced similar gender‑based abuse.

While recognizing the democratic right to criticize policy errors and hold officials accountable, the signatories insisted that personal and abusive attacks against PM Amarasuriya and her gender are unacceptable.

They further welcomed the government’s admission of the textbook error and the announcement of a police inquiry, calling it a positive step.

The statement praised PM Harini Amarasuriya’s exemplary parliamentary record, marked by decency, courage, respect for opponents, and intelligent contributions to debates.

It urged those engaged in gender‑based and homophobic attacks to end their campaign, which they said undermines democratic and humanist values cherished by citizens.

The statement was signed by 58 individuals, including:

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
Mr. Charith Gunawardena
Mr. Vidura Munasinghe
Mr. Sandun Thudugala
Ms. Priyanthi Fernando
Ms. Bhavani Fonseka
Ms. 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
Ms. Ermiza Tegal
Mr. Vangeesa Sumanasekara
Ms. Shreen Abdul Saroor
Ms. Sarala Emmanuel
Ms. Hiranyada Dewasiri
Mr. Wimal Saminathan
Mr. Eng. M. Sooriasegaram
Ms. 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
Ms. Deanne Uyangoda
Ms. Nehama Jayawardene
Mr. V. Kamalasiri
Prof. M.A.F. Ibrahim

This collective statement underscores the call for decency, accountability, and respect in political discourse, while firmly rejecting gender‑based vilification of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. (Newswire)

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