We, members of the concerned Tamil community and diaspora, strongly oppose the appointment or involvement of M.A. Sumanthiran, MP and President’s Counsel, in any legal matter relating to Sinhalese land grabs or broader Tamil interests. His history of legal action, timing, and public behavior raise deep doubts about his intent and commitment to Tamil sovereignty and justice.
Recent reports confirm that Sumanthiran is set to represent, free of charge, the Valikamam North Pradeshiya Sabha in a case against an illegally constructed Buddhist Vihara in Thaiyiddy — a clear example of Sinhalese expansion into Tamil areas. Despite unanimous support in the local council for legal action against this unlawful construction, the appointment of Sumanthiran is deeply troubling.
Tamil experience tells us this:
When Sumanthiran is appointed, cases drag on, often for years, giving the encroachers and the government breathing space. The Tamil people, who initially show strong resistance, are pacified by the mere illusion of legal process. Over time, momentum is lost, communities forget, and the oppressors win by delay. This cycle has been repeated in past legal interventions, where no concrete outcomes were secured for the Tamil people.
Sumanthiran’s pattern has been to neutralize Tamil anger, defuse public resistance, and legitimize the status quo, all under the veil of legal representation. His continued role in such sensitive issues only aids the very state mechanisms that have historically oppressed our people.
We call upon the Tamil leadership at all levels — local councils, political parties, civic organizations — to refuse the services of M.A. Sumanthiran in matters concerning Tamil land, culture, and justice. We urge them to instead appoint independent legal experts who are fully committed to defending Tamil rights without delay, compromise, or ulterior political motives.
The Tamil people have not forgotten the genocide. We cannot afford legal performances that serve to cool our resilience. This is not the time for symbolic litigation — we demand real action and real outcomes.
No more delay tactics. No more deception. No more Sumanthiran.
Thank you,
Tamil Diaspora News
July 18, 2025
