NEW: Former British Diplomat Alleges Institutional Homophobia at Academy of Design Sri Lanka

This story was updated at 9:13am on the 30th of April in light of new comments made by the former diplomat.

A former British diplomat in Sri Lanka has alleged that she was harassed and faced with homophobic bullying at the Academy of Design (AOD) in Sri Lanka, which is affiliated to the UK-based University of Northumbria. Targeting her sexual orientation, the allegations include claims that the Academy attempted to have her blacklisted by immigration authorities.

Same-sex relations are still a criminal offence in Sri Lanka, with Human Rights Watch reporting last October how LGBTQ+ people in the country are subject to torture and invasive procedures. Despite knowing this, founder and Chairperson of the Academy of Design Linda Speldewinde is alleged to have continued to pursue a campaign against the former diplomat, going as far as to tell Sri Lankan immigration authorities that as she was a LGBTQ+, she was a threat to students and should not be granted a visa to work in the field of education. This came after Speldewinde approached the former diplomat to encourage her to work at the Academy, to help build its network, locate sponsors, and strengthen its reputation as an institution with international links and partnerships.

A Culture of Bullying

Things weren’t as rosy as they initially seemed: according to the former diplomat, Speldewinde “managed by bullying and harassing”. Accusing the Academy of falling far short of the standards of a British-affiliated educational institution, the former diplomat recalled ‘haphazard employment’ and workers being ‘illegally terminated’ - some reportedly going unpaid. As someone who had previously represented British interests and standards in Sri Lanka, this was not something that the former diplomat could stand for. This is when things are said to have taken a turn for the far worse.

Speldewinde allegedly threatened the former diplomat, promising to ‘make life difficult’ for her if she didn’t resign. Knowing the danger it would put her in, Speldewinde is said to have raised a petition with the immigration authorities to deny the former dipomat a work visa, or the opportunity to work in education because of her sexuality, despite having decades worth of experience in leadership and education.

We contacted Subha Wijesiriwardena, a Sri Lankan queer-feminist activist, researcher, and writer, who worked at the Academy during the ex-diplomat’s tenure as its Director of External Affairs, who confirmed with us her story. “I had the privilege of working under [the former diplomat's] leadership, she was an exceptional, kind leader. I was made aware of how AOD treated her, it was truly awful to watch. She challenged the toxic work culture at AOD and its highest leadership and she was persecuted for it’. Of the work culture at AOD, Wijesiriwardena said that “AOD work culture [at the time] was extremely toxic, there was a persistent culture of bullying. Local staff were treated really badly, were paid badly, had little security etc., but I also observed foreign consultants who were brought on board for SLDF were overworked and treated really badly”, supporting claims made by other staff.

“I am very happy to support and verify [her] story” she continued.

“The threat of being accused of harassing students hung over [her] at this time, and the fact that she was a lesbian was very clearly the reason for this. I find this quite ironic, given that predatory, extractive behaviours from AOD leadership had become quite commonplace... This was age-old homophobia, accusing LGBT people of being a danger to young people or children. It was horrific”

Wijesiriwardena, who described the work culture at the Academy of Design as "toxic".

A New Development?

This is not the first time the Academy of Design has been accused of illegal and discriminatory practices. Former employees have claimed that the institution often withheld wages, engaged in illegal hiring and firing practices, sustained an entrenched culture of bullying and harassment, and profited off of impoverished craftspeople by selling their goods at a luxury boutique, whilst not paying them. Another same-sex couple reportedly had 15 armed guards sent to their home, culminating in one being arrested and held in remand for two days, on the orders of Speldewinde. They are now said to be suing the institution for the homophobia and intrusion into their life that this has caused.

On their website, the Academy of Design claims ‘At AOD [Academy of Design] in Sri Lanka, Northumbria presents the same excellence of British design education in an identical form. With an international faculty validated by Northumbria UK and assessments directly by the university, AOD is able to present a unique Northumbria experience right here in Sri Lanka.’ This is a far cry from the concerning allegations raised by staff at the institution, including the Diplomat. With an award-winning LGBTQ+ network, and strong anti-discrimination policies, Northumbria University has been a safe place for LGBTQ+ students and staff, making these allegations all the more worrying.

When contacted for comment, LGBTQStar, the LGBTQ+ network at the University of Northumbria, said that they would escalate the allegations with the University now that they had been made aware.

We approached the Academy of Design for comment on the allegations, and they have not yet responded.

UPDATE 9:13am, 30th April: In light of this article, the former diplomat has gotten in touch with myGwork to issue the following statement:

"I wanted to respond to this piece which is quite rightly getting a lot of attention. This all happened 10 years ago so it is hardly surprising that some inaccuracies in reporting have crept in and some comments on the AOD have been attributed to me in error. I would like to put the record straight on a couple of points. Linda is undeniably a very talented entrepreneur who very much deserved the International award she was granted by the British Council (not by me personally!) With her personal drive and energy she built up AOD and made international connections with UK universities through her own efforts, although the exposure she received through her success in the Young Entrepreneur Design Award undoubtedly helped. What is indisputable is that during the time I worked at AOD I observed a consistently bullying style of management and harassment of many staff besides myself, and her endeavour to have me denied a new residence visa in Sri Lanka on the grounds of my sexual preferences through a petition sent to Immigration was shocking and extremely painful. What has transpired with other colleagues in recent months is equally shocking, and if the resurrection of my experiences with Linda and AOD can help bring a stop to such discriminatory and unacceptable behaviour, I am happy for my story to be shared."

More updates as this story unfolds.