Knowra J. R. Jayewardene J. R. Jayewardene Junius Richard Jayewardene was a Sri Lankan politician who served as prime minister from 1977 to 1978 and president from 1978 to 1989. His presidency introduced an executive presidency and a new constitution.
D. S. Senanayake : Sri Lankan statesman who became the country’s first prime minister after independence in 1948. Jayewardene served in Senanayake’s cabinet and entered national government under his leadership.
Executive presidency of Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka’s system in which the president serves as head of state and government with substantial executive authority. Jayewardene’s 1978 constitution created this powerful presidency, which he held first.
Proportional representation : An electoral system that allocates legislative seats according to parties’ shares of the vote. The 1978 constitution introduced this system for parliamentary elections, replacing constituency-based first-past-the-post voting.
Sri Lankan Civil War : The armed conflict between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil separatist groups, lasting from 1983 to 2009. The war began during Jayewardene’s presidency and defined the consequences of his government’s choices.
Colombo : Sri Lanka’s largest city and its commercial center, located on the island’s western coast. Jayewardene was born and educated in Colombo, where he began his legal and political careers.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike : Sri Lankan politician who became the world’s first woman prime minister in 1960. Her political leadership and party repeatedly opposed Jayewardene and the United National Party.
1978 Constitution of Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka’s constitution, adopted in 1978, that established an executive presidency and proportional representation. Jayewardene’s government introduced it, replacing the parliamentary framework established at independence.
Referendum in Sri Lanka, 1982 : The national referendum that extended the existing Sri Lankan parliament’s term instead of holding a general election. Jayewardene used the referendum to prolong his parliamentary majority amid opposition to an early election.
1983 Sri Lankan parliamentary election : The 1983 Sri Lankan referendum on extending parliament’s term, held instead of a general election. The vote followed Black July and extended the government’s term without a fresh parliamentary contest.
Royal College, Colombo : A public boys’ school in Colombo and one of Sri Lanka’s oldest secondary schools. Jayewardene attended the school before studying law and entering politics.
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