Northern activists condemn attacks on Prime Minister; back education reforms

Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

• Following is a statement signed by 55 individuals from the Northern Province condemning attacks on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and expressing support to the Government’s education reforms

We express our profound concern and deep outrage at the vulgar, misogynistic, and defamatory attacks being directed at the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya is not merely a political leader; she is a scholar, public intellectual, and lifelong advocate of social justice, equality, and education. Attempts to discredit her through personal abuse rather than reasoned policy debate are not only an insult to her, but an assault on democratic values, women’s leadership, and intellectual integrity in public life.

Such attacks are unjust and unethical, and they corrode democratic discourse. We are deeply disappointed that certain political actors and their supporters continue to rely on misinformation, prejudice, and emotional manipulation, instead of engaging in rational, evidence-based, and constructive debate.

Sri Lanka has already paid a heavy price for decades of politics rooted in fear, communal division, and sentiment-driven populism. The country’s economic collapse and social breakdown are the direct consequences of these failed approaches. The people decisively rejected this style of politics through the Aragalaya, signaling a clear demand for change. Sri Lanka now stands at a historic turning point. After decades of corruption, ethnic manipulation, and policy paralysis, the people have given a clear mandate for systemic reform.

At this critical moment, Sri Lanka urgently needs structural reforms, particularly in education, which is the foundation of long-term national development, social mobility, and global competitiveness. Yet we observe that the very forces responsible for the country’s decline are once again attempting to block or derail reforms by exploiting religious, cultural, and emotional narratives.

We strongly affirm that no nation can be rebuilt through hatred, fear, or division. Education reform is not a political threat; it is a national necessity. Efforts to undermine reform through personal attacks and manufactured controversies serve only those who seek to return to power by keeping the country weak, divided, and intellectually impoverished.

Those who now attack Dr. Harini Amarasuriya are not defending culture or morality. They are defending privilege and political survival. Having failed the country for over seventy-five years through communalism, patronage, and anti-intellectualism, they now fear that an educated, critical, and empowered generation will render their outdated politics irrelevant.

This is why they target:

a woman,

an academic,

and a reformer.

At this critical moment, Sri Lanka urgently needs structural reforms, particularly in education, which is the foundation of long-term national development, social mobility, and global competitiveness. Yet we observe that the very forces responsible for the country’s decline are once again attempting to block or derail reforms by exploiting religious, cultural, and emotional narratives

We therefore state clearly that we:

Condemn all forms of character assassination, gender-based attacks, and hate propaganda against the Prime Minister and Minister of Education.

Affirm our full support for Dr. Harini Amarasuriya’s leadership in advancing Sri Lanka’s education reforms.

Urge the Government to proceed firmly and without retreat in implementing the proposed education reforms, in line with national policy and the public mandate.

Call upon academics, professionals, teachers, parents, and citizens to stand together against reactionary forces that seek to sabotage reform through fear mongering and disinformation.

A country cannot be rebuilt by those who destroyed it.

A future cannot be created by those who fear education reforms.

Sri Lanka’s future must not be sacrificed for the ambitions of a few.

Sri Lanka must move forward — with knowledge, dignity, and courage.

Signatories:

Markandu Thiruvathavooran, Attorney at law

Dr. S. Arivalzahan, University of Jaffna

Dr S.Ramesh, University of Jaffna

Dr. Mariadas Alfred,  Former Dean,  University of Peradeniya

Prof B.Nimalathasan, Senior Professor, University of Jaffna

S. Srivakeesan, Station Master, SriLankan Railways

A. T. Aravinthan, Branch Manager, Commercial Bank

Dr. S. Niththiyaruban, Paediatrician, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna

Dr. S. Selvaganesh, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna

Dr. S. Mathievaanan, Consultant Surgeon, Teaching Hospital, Jaffna

Prof. P. Iyngaran, University of Jaffna

Eng. M. Sooriasegaram, President, Education Development Consortium

Dr. S. Raviraj, Senior Consultant Surgeon, Former Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University, Jaffna.

Saminadan Wimal, University of Jaffna

Dr. A. Antonyrajan, University of Jaffna

P. Regno, Attorney at Law

Prof. J. Prince Jeyadevan, University of Jaffna

Prof. S. Muhunthan, University of Jaffna

Prof. R. Kapilan, University of Jaffna

Dr. S. Jeevasuthan, University of Jaffna

J.S. Thevaruban, University of Jaffna

S. Balaputhiran, University of Jaffna

Dr. N. Sivapalan, Retired Senior lecturer, University of Jaffna

I. P. Dhanushiyan, University of Jaffna

Dr. K. Thabotharan, University of Jaffna

Dr. Bahirathy J. Rasanen, University of Jaffna 

Perinpanayagam Ronibus, Vice Secretary, Change Charitable Trust, Jaffna

Dr. S. Maheswaran, University of Peradeniya

S.  Laleesan, Principal, Kopay Teachers’ College

Victor Antany, Teacher, Kilinochchi

K. Shanthakumar, Principal, Technical College, Vavuniya

S. Thirikaran, Principal, J/ Puttur Srisomaskanda College

Dr. T. Vannarajan, Advanced Technical Institute, Jaffna.

X. Don Bosco, Resource person, Piliyandala Educational Zone

K. Ravikumar, Regional Manager, Powerhands Pvt Ltd

Sathiyapriya Jeyaseelan, DO, Economist

A. Kalaichelvan, Chief Accountant, Animal Productive & Health

C. Vathanakumar, Retired Project Director

P. Kirupakaran, Department of Buildings (NP)

A. Antony Pilinton, David Peris Company, Jaffna

A. Muralietharan, Social Activist

Sinthuja Sritharan, Independent Researcher

T. Sritharan, Social Activist

Gnasakthi Sritharan, Social Activist

P. Thevatharsan, Management Service Officer

S. Mohan, Social Activist

K. Jeyakumaran, Social Activist

Dr. N. Nithianandan, Chairman, Ratnam Foundation

George Antony Cristy, Social Activist

S. Thangarasa, Social Activist

N. Bhavan, Retd. Deputy Principal, Mahajana College

P. Muthulingam, Executive Director, Institute of Social Development, Kandy

M.K. Sivarajah, Social Activist

V. Sivalingam, Human Rights Activist

S. Jeyaganeshan, Samuthi Development Officer