Sinhala-Buddhist Nationalism, Unitary State Structure, and the JVP’s Quest for Power

A sizable portion of Sinhala-Buddhists, including monks, supported the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna(JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) in the recent September 2024 presidential election. The results indicate that the JVP captured a significant share of votes from Mahinda Rajapaksa’s traditional Sinhala-Buddhist base. A key political symbol of the Sinhala-Buddhist nationalist ideology is the preservation of the unitary state structure introduced during British colonial rule.Emerging in the late 1960s as a radical leftist political entity, the JVP initially advocated for social justice and anti-imperialism. However, over time, the socio-political dynamics among Sinhala-Buddhists have shaped the party’s ideology and its relationship with the Buddhist clergy. This commentary examines the interactions between the JVP, Buddhist monks, and Sinhala-Buddhist hegemony, highlighting their mutual influence on Sri Lanka’s political landscape.