Rajapaksa had been due to speak at both the Cambridge Union and the Oxford Union later this month during his visit to the United Kingdom. However, Tamil diaspora groups and organisations opposed to his participation raised strong objections, urging the debating societies to withdraw the invitation.
In a joint statement, the Tamil Student Unions of the United Kingdom and the Tamil Youth Organization of Britain (TYO UK) called for the immediate cancellation of the event, arguing that the platform should not be extended to him.
Following the protests and mounting pressure, organisers confirmed that the Cambridge Union event would not proceed as planned.
There was no immediate response from Rajapaksa regarding the development at the time of reporting.
