Former President and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has paid a glowing tribute to Sri Lanka's first Executive President, Junius Richard Jayewardene, describing his tenure as a transformative 17-year revolution that reshaped the nation's economy, strengthened democratic institutions, and significantly improved the living standards of ordinary Sri Lankans. Wickremesinghe made these remarks while addressing a high-level scholarly discussion organized by the D. S. Senanayake Political Chair at the National Library, held to commemorate Jayewardene's 120th birth anniversary.
A Landmark Occasion at the National Library
The event, organized under the prestigious D. S. Senanayake Political Chair, brought together academics, political figures, and historians to reflect on the enduring legacy of one of Sri Lanka's most consequential leaders. Jayewardene, who served as the country's first Executive President from 1978 to 1989, remains a towering figure in Sri Lankan political history. His 120th birth anniversary provided a timely opportunity to reassess his contributions to the island nation's development and democratic evolution.
Ranil Wickremesinghe, himself a former President and a long-serving figure within the UNP — the party that Jayewardene once led — spoke with evident admiration and personal familiarity about the leader he closely worked with during some of the most defining chapters of Sri Lankan political history. The scholarly setting of the National Library added weight and gravitas to what became a deeply reflective discussion about leadership, governance, and national transformation.
Economic Transformation Under Jayewardene
Central to Wickremesinghe's address was the economic revolution that Jayewardene initiated during his presidency. When Jayewardene came to power, Sri Lanka was operating under a largely closed, state-controlled economic model. Recognizing the limitations of this approach, Jayewardene boldly pivoted toward an open-market economy, liberalizing trade, attracting foreign investment, and dismantling protectionist barriers that had stifled growth for years.
This economic liberalization, which began in earnest in 1977, is widely credited with opening Sri Lanka to global markets and laying the groundwork for sustained development. The establishment of the Mahaweli Development Programme, the creation of free trade zones, and major infrastructure investments were all hallmarks of Jayewardene's economic vision. Wickremesinghe emphasized that these were not incremental reforms but rather bold, revolutionary steps that fundamentally altered the trajectory of Sri Lanka's economy.
The former President also noted that Jayewardene's economic policies led to tangible improvements in the daily lives of Sri Lankans. Access to goods, employment opportunities, and overall economic activity expanded considerably during his tenure, marking a clear departure from the scarcity and restrictions that had characterized the preceding era.
Strengthening Democratic Institutions
Beyond economics, Wickremesinghe highlighted Jayewardene's role in reshaping Sri Lanka's constitutional and democratic framework. The introduction of the Executive Presidency through the 1978 Constitution was perhaps Jayewardene's most defining and debated political legacy. While critics have long argued about the concentration of power this system entailed, Wickremesinghe presented it as a deliberate effort to create a stable governance structure capable of driving long-term national development.
Jayewardene's vision for democracy, according to Wickremesinghe, was rooted in building institutions that could withstand political turbulence and deliver consistent governance. His leadership style, though firm and at times controversial, was guided by a belief that strong institutional frameworks were essential for a young, developing democracy navigating complex social and ethnic challenges.
Wickremesinghe also acknowledged the difficult political environment of the time, including rising ethnic tensions that would eventually culminate in the devastating civil conflict. He suggested that understanding Jayewardene's decisions requires a nuanced appreciation of the pressures and complexities he faced as a leader during one of the most turbulent periods in Sri Lankan history.
A Revolutionary Legacy That Endures
Describing Jayewardene's presidency as a "17-year revolution," Wickremesinghe underscored the comprehensive and lasting nature of the changes introduced during that period. The word "revolution" was deliberately chosen — not to romanticize, but to accurately capture the scale of transformation that occurred across economic, political, and social dimensions of Sri Lankan life.
Scholars and political analysts who participated in the discussion echoed many of Wickremesinghe's sentiments, while also engaging critically with the more contested aspects of Jayewardene's legacy. This balanced approach reflected the spirit of the scholarly forum, which sought not merely to celebrate but to genuinely understand the full complexity of Jayewardene's impact on Sri Lanka.
Remembering JR on His 120th Birth Anniversary
As Sri Lanka marks 120 years since Jayewardene's birth, events like the National Library discussion serve as important moments of national reflection. For Wickremesinghe and many within the UNP, Jayewardene remains an inspirational figure whose boldness, vision, and commitment to modernizing Sri Lanka continue to resonate deeply.
The commemoration was a reminder that understanding Sri Lanka's present requires an honest and thorough engagement with its past — and that leaders like J. R. Jayewardene, whatever their controversies, played an undeniably pivotal role in shaping the nation that exists today.