Sri Lanka, Feb. 23 -- The Oxford Union has cancelled a planned address by Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa following objections raised by British Tamil groups and student organisations in the United Kingdom.

The decision was announced less than 24 hours before Rajapaksa was scheduled to speak. In comments to Cherwell, Oxford's independent student newspaper, Union President Katherine Yang said the cancellation followed concerns expressed by students about their safety and their ability to participate in the event.

She noted that the Union's primary objective is to facilitate open debate and direct questioning. However, a number of students who felt closely connected to the subject matter had indicated they were uncomfortable engaging in the...