WikiLeaks: JR Jayewardene Elected UNP Chairman – US Analysis Of JR’s Leadership
“JR Jayewardene unanimously elected UNP party president at special meeting of working committee April 26. Conference was managed by Dudley Senanayake appointees, with Dudleys shadow all but eclipsing J. R. as part of reported deal with working committee” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington.

“Political history of Ceylon since independence in 1948 has basically been struggle between two families, Bandaranaikes and Seyanayakes, to control country. Efforts now reportedly being made by Senanayake family, headed by dudley’ s brother Robert, to maintain UNP control and possibly groom one of Robert’ s three sone for future role in politics, much as PM Bandaranaike has apparzntly sought to groom her son Anura. Selection of J. R. to head party for moment appears likely but ‘old guard’ means to keep string on him and check any tendency to slide back into previous thoughts of coalition with Mrs B.” the Embassy further noted.
Colombo Telegraph found two related leaked US diplomatic cables from the WikiLeaks database regarding JR Jayewardene‘s appointment as the UNP leader 43 years ago. We publish below the cables in full;