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J. R. Jayawardene (Seated). Photo By Ajit.perera –

Top 10 Remarquable Facts about J. R. Jayewardene   

Junius Richard Jayewardene (J. R.) was the leader and second President of Sri Lanka from 1977 to 1989. He had previously served as their Prime Minister.  

He is remembered for amending the constitution of 1972 to make the presidency an executive post. The provisions of the amendment automatically made him, the incumbent prime minister, the president. He was sworn in as president on 4 February 1978. 

J.R. turned the country into a major tourist destination and brought about rapid economic growth because he ushered in an era of free markets and boosted the private sector. 

Here are the top 10 remarquable facts about J. R. Jayewardene. 

1. He Came From A Prominent Family And Was Raised By An English Nanny

J. R. Jayewardene was born on 17th September 1906 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He came from a prominent family. His parents were Hon. Justice Eugene Wilfred Jayewardene KC, a judge and prominent lawyer, and Agnes Helen Don Philip Wijewardena.

J. R. was known as Dickie within his family and he was the eldest son in a family that had 12 children. Their parents were so rich they could afford to hire an English nanny for their children.

J.R. received his primary education at Bishop’s College then proceeded to Royal College for his secondary education after which he entered the University College all in Colombo.

2. J.R.’s Relatives Were Successful Professionals and Business People 

President J.R Jayewardene presents a baby elephant to President Reagan. Photo By White House –

Apart from his dad being a Supreme Court judge, J.R.’s relatives were wealthy and prominent. His maternal grandfather was a wealthy timber merchant while his father-in-law was a notary public who later became a successful businessman. 

His brothers Hector and Rolly were professionals too, a lawyer and a medical doctor respectively.

One of his uncles, Theodore, was a military officer in the rank of Colonel and another uncle, Valentine, was a Judge. There was also another uncle, Don Richard, who was a press baron and a newspaper owner.  

3. J.R.’s Son Was A Pilot And A Buddhist Monk  

On 28th February 1935, J.R. married Miss Elina Bandara Rupasinghe. The couple had their only child Ravindra “Ravi” Vimal Jayewardene a year later on 22nd April 1936. After this, J.R. moved his young family to Braemar where they called home for the rest of their lives. They also had a holiday home in Mirissa.  

When he grew up, Ravi avoided a political career, thus training in aviation. He got his pilot license and also joined the volunteer force of the Ceylon Army where he gained sharpshooting skills. His favorite pastime activity was sport shooting.  

At one point, he spent time away from home, living as a Buddhist monk in Thailand for three years. After this, he migrated to Australia where he worked as a mechanic.

Ravi came back home after his father became president and he was appointed National Security Adviser. He stepped down from his post when his father’s term in office ended.  

4. J.R. Practiced Law Before Joining Ceylon National Congress 

J. R. Jayawardene (Seated). Photo By Ajit.perera –

After studying the Advocate’s course, reading English, Latin, Logic, and Economics for two years at the university, he proceeded to Ceylon Law College as was the family tradition. J.R was attracted to national politics in his student years and developed strong nationalist views.  

He converted from Anglicanism to Buddhism and adopted the national dress as his formal attire. After graduating, J.R. started practicing law. He opened a private firm and took mainly civil cases although he did not practice law for long. 

However, J.R. Soon became inclined towards Politics and won a by-election thus joining the Ceylon National Congress (CNC). He rose through the ranks of the activist group and became the joint secretary in less than five years. 

5. He Was The First Finance Minister After Independence 

In 1948, Sri Lanka became independent. J.R. who was by then a member of the United National Party (UNP) became the finance minister of the country.  

After five years, his portfolio changed to the agriculture and food ministry where he worked for another three years. In 1951 he became the head of the Board of Control for Cricket in Ceylon.  

His political influence also kept growing to new heights in the period. In 1965, he became the Minister of State for the UNP government and is credited with improving the country’s tourism industry. 

6. He Headed The Opposition At One Point 

In 1970, UNP lost power and J.R. took over as opposition leader and de facto leader of the UNP due to the ill health of Dudley Senanayake who was the party leader. When Dudley died, J.R. was unanimously elected as the new UNP leader thus leading the opposition. 

7. J.R. Resigned From Parliament In Protest 

President J.R Jayewardene presents a baby elephant to President Reagan. Photo By White House –

In 1976 he resigned from his seat in parliament in protest when the government used its large majority in parliament to extend the duration of the government by two more years at the end of its six-year term without holding a general election or a referendum requesting public approval. 

Tapping into growing anger with that government, J.R led the opposition to a crushing victory in the 1977 election. The UNP won a staggering five-sixths of the seats in parliament which were one of the most lopsided victories ever recorded for a democratic election.  

8. He Became The First President 

Having been elected to parliament, J.R became Prime Minister and formed a new government. Shortly after, he amended the constitution to give the country an executive presidency, and on 4 February 1978, he became the President.  

During his presidency, he ushered in an era of free markets and provided a boost to the private sector. He was re-elected as the president in the elections held in 1983. J.R. retired from politics in 1989 after his second term as president at the age of 82. 

9. He Died Of Cancer 

J.R. died of colon cancer on 1st November 1996 at a hospital in Colombo. He was 90 years old. He had survived four assassination attempts during his public career. 

10. There Is A Center In His Honor 

Presidents J. R and Reagan with the first ladies. Photo By Series –

There is a J. R. Jayewardene Memorial Centre that was established in 1988. The center is an archive, library, and museum located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Based at J.R.’s childhood home, the center also has ownership of Braemar, J.R’s family home. 

The center exhibits collections of items that J.R used, many paintings, gifts from distinguished visitors, and his library. The center is open to the public and free to access.