About this Webinar
This Muragala | CPPP webinar examines the changing landscape of university student politics in Sri Lanka. University students have historically played a significant role in the country’s politics from struggles to defend free education to more recent mobilisation during the people’s protests or the Aragalaya. Against the backdrop of the National People’s Power’s (NPP) electoral victory in 2024 and the country’s evolving political landscape, this webinar aims to explore how university student unions and movements understand and navigate their role in this period of political transition, including how they engage with the government, higher education institutions, and broader social and political developments.
A Muragala | CPPP webinar in 2024 discussed trends in university student politics, and a summary report of the webinar can be accessed here. This webinar in October 2026, aims to map the politics and trends since. Since November 2024, student activism in Sri Lanka has centred around issues such as administrative policies in higher education, the state of university infrastructure, and state asset allocation to public universities.
Key episodes in student politics since 2024 include the multi-day occupation of the Malwana property, linked to former minister Basil Rajapaksa, by the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) in May 2026; and IUSF-led protests in February 2026 against the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) directive regarding the supervision of student activities and to cease all student activities on campus by 10 p.m.
Speakers
- Mr Dhamma Dissanayake, Senior Lecturer, Depatment of Political Science & Public Policy, University of Colombo
- Mrs Kosalai Mathan – Senior Lecturer, Department of Law, University of Jaffna
- Mr Udul Premaratne – Sri Lankan attorney-at-law and Former IUSF convener
- Mr Maheel Bandara – Sri Lankan entrepreneur and political commentator
Moderator: Mr Harindra B Dassanayake (Muragala l Centre for Progressive Politics & Policy)
Date – Monday 05th of October 4.30-6.00 pm SL time (with a Q and A session)
Zoom details – https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88550711358
Language – Sinhala (with English summaries)
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