Link to The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2025/nov/25/the-dangerous-rise-of-buddhist-extremism-attaining-nirvana-can-wait
UK Guardian: The Dangerous Rise of Buddhist Extremism — Enabled by Sri Lanka’s “Foremost Place for Buddhism”
Sumanthiran Helped Approve “Foremost Place for Buddhism.” Now the Guardian Confirms Its Damage
The British Guardian’s new investigation makes it clear:
giving Buddhism the “foremost place” in Sri Lanka’s constitution empowered extremist monks and strengthened Sinhala-Buddhist supremacy, which continues to suppress Tamils, Muslims, and Christians.
But Tamils must confront an internal truth:
TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran publicly endorsed this clause in Parliament — without Tamil consent, authority, or mandate.
He unilaterally told Parliament that Tamils had “no objection” to Buddhism having priority.
Other Tamil MPs — including several still in office — remained silent and allowed this betrayal to stand.
The following video is proof that Sumanthiran personally endorsed granting Buddhism the ‘Foremost Place’ in Parliament.
The Guardian now confirms that this clause:
- legitimized extremist monks
- justified attacks on minorities
- enabled land grabs and militarization
- entrenched Sinhala-Buddhist control over the Tamil homeland
This is exactly what Tamils warned — and exactly what Sumanthiran helped validate.
It is time to remove Sumanthiran from Tamil politics.
Let him return to Colombo.
No leader who accepts Sinhala-Buddhist supremacy deserves to speak for Tamils.
Conclusion
The Guardian’s findings prove that weaponized Buddhism — protected by the constitution — is a political tool used against Tamils.
Sumanthiran’s endorsement strengthened that system.