Today marks the 116th birthday of Sri Lanka’s first Executive President J. R. Jayewardene, who also served as the country’s first Finance Minister and Minister of State.
J. R. Jayewardene was the oldest of the eleven children born to former judge and state attorney E. W. Jayewardene and Helena Agnes Wijewardene on September 17, 1906, at the Sedawatta Walawwa in Colombo. J. R. Jayewardene worked as a lawyer.
Through his participation in the 1943 Kelaniya by-election, he was elected to the State Council. He was sworn in as the first Minister of Finance for seven years beginning in 1947 after winning the Kelaniya electorate in the 1947 general election.
After winning the 1970 general election, J.R. Jayewardene was elected to represent Colombo South in parliament. He then served as the National State Assembly’s Opposition Leader from 1977 until 1980.
He took over as party head after Dudley Senanayake, the UNP leader, passed away.
The 1977 general election was a resounding victory for J.R. Jayewardene, who went on to become Sri Lanka’s seventh prime minister.
When the new Constitution was adopted in 1978, he was later chosen to serve as Sri Lanka’s first Executive President.
By founding the National Youth Services Council, Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo Plan, and Free Trade Zones, former president Jayewardene did a great deal for the nation.
His programs include the Poverty Alleviation Program, Job Bank System, Appointment of Cultivation Officers, and Accelerated Mahaweli Development Scheme Cultural Triangle helped thousands of people. The unyielding politician passed away on November 1, 1996, 26 years ago.
