Cyril Mathew

Cyril Mathew was a Sri Lankan politician and a writer.

Mathew belonged to the United National Party and was a minister in the cabinet of President J.R. Jayewardene in the 1970s and 1980s. Mathew was the author of the book Sinhalese! Rise to Protect Buddhism, which urged Sinhalese to stand up for their rights and protect their values.

He also issued a pamphlet Who is the Tiger.

Mr Mathew represented the Kelaniya electorate for the UNP and belonged to a lower Sinhalese caste of Wahampura unlike most ruling Sinhalese politicians. He was known for his hard-line position against Tamil political aspirations[1]. His son Nanda Mathew was also a member of the parliament and later held several ministerial posts, such as minister of Sports and Youth affairs, under successive UNP governments