Our Former Leaders

1946 - 1952

D. S. Senanayake, the founder of the party

Don Stephen Senanayake, known also as the ‘Father of the Nation’, is a respected personality in the country and was the founder of the United National Party. He was the first Prime Minister of Independent Ceylon in 1948 when the nation was granted self-rule as the Dominion of Ceylon. He held office till his demise. Before his premiership, he was elected to the Legislative Council of Ceylon and later served as the Minister of Agriculture and Lands. He embarked on the ‘Land Development Ordinance’ that helped in the cultivation of barren lands by putting forth various irrigation schemes. Further, he strived to innovate the field of agriculture and focused on developing cooperatives. In addition, he was the driving force behind the leading hydropower and irrigation projects such as ‘Gal Oya’, ‘Inginiyagala’ and ‘Udawalawe’ programs.

1952 - 1953

Dudley Senanayake eraa

Due to the sudden demise of Prime Minister D.S Senanayake, that occurred in a riding accident, his son, Dudley Senanayke, succeeded him as the Prime Minister. During his Premiership, he embarked on various projects to enhance the agricultural sector. He was famously known as “Bath Dun Piya '', for offering free rice to the nation. Moreover, he built the Bathalagoda Paddy Research Centre, Talawakelle Tea Research Center, and the Lunuwila Coconut Research Center which expanded the nation’s agricultural sector. He also established the Moratuwa University, Ampara Higher Technology Institution, and many other technical colleges in Sri Lanka. One of the most notable is the inauguration of the Bhikkhu University. Further, he declared every Full Moon Poya Day, a government recognized holiday.

1953 - 1958

John Kotelawala era

Due to the 1953 Hartal incident and its uproar, then Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake had to resign. Subsequently, he was succeeded by his cousin, Colonel Sir John Kotelawala. During his tenure, he set out to launch several large-scale power generation and infrastructure projects. These included the Lakshapana hydropower project, Bambalapitiya housing project, the renovation of the Ratmalana Airport, construction of the Kelani Bridge, and the development of various Buddhist religious sites. Following the loss of the UNP at the 1956 elections, Kotelawala stepped down as party leader and went into a self-imposed exile in the UK.

1958 - 1972

The Second Dudley Senanayake era

When S.W.R.D Bandaranaike (during his Premiership) passed the controversial Sinhala Only Act, it led to tumultuous communal clashes in 1958. Dudley Senanayake regained party leadership and the UNP once again came to power for a short period of three months in 1960 and again in 1965, in coalition with the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna, and the Tamil Ethnic Federal. However, in 1970 it lost to SLFP, which had established an electoral alliance with Marxist Parties known as the United Front. One of the notable reforms in his tenure was the mandatory requirement of English education.

1972 - 1988

J.R Jayewardena era

Following the death of Dudley Senanayake in 1973, J.R. Jayewardena secured the position as the leader of the UNP and started reorganizing the party at the grassroots level. He was elected as the first Executive President of Sri Lanka by the Parliament. Thus, in 1978, a new Constitution was composed, which transformed the Presidency into an executive post with sweeping powers.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister J.R Jayewardena, the economy was opened up, which led to many positive changes in the country. Free-trade zones in Katunayake and Biyagama were established with the prime motive of enhancing employment. This effort also resulted in prominent international companies investing in Sri Lanka.

Moreover, the government also handled major development work in order to boost hydroelectricity and agriculture in the country. Reservoirs such as the Victoria, Randenigala, Rantambe, Kotmale, Maduru Oya, Lunugamwehere were constructed. In addition, President Jayewardena awarded land deeds to the underprivileged people, by the name “Swarnabhoomi”. He also established administration centers, namely Isurupaya and Sethsiripaya and moved the administrative capital to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte. It was here that a new parliament building was constructed. Furthermore, the government launched the Mahapola scholarship programme and the subject, Information Technology, was introduced to schools. President Jayawardena also inaugurated the University of Ruhuna and the Eastern University as well as the Medical Faculty of Jaffna University. The Bandaranaike International Airport was modernised and the national carrier, Air Lanka, was started. He also remodelled the Sri Lankan military and initiated the Special Task Force of the Police.

1988 - 1993

Ranasinghe Premadasa era

President Jayewardene retired in 1988 and was succeeded by Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa, who was a people oriented leader. During his tenure, he initiated the “Million Houses Programme’ to provide houses for the underprivileged. He also embarked on the “Gam Udawa'' scheme to develop rural areas across the country. In addition, he launched “Janasaviya”, the garment factories programme and the decentralization of the administration to Divisional Secretariats. In addition, he instigated the National Housing Development Authority, Urban Development Authority, Central Environmental Authority, Janasaviya Trust Fund, Housing Development Finance Corporation and the Institute for Construction Training and Development.