Sri Lanka, Sept. 17 -- Today marks the 120th birth anniversary of Sri Lanka's first Executive President, J.R. Jayewardene, a pivotal leader who reshaped the nation's political and economic landscape. Serving as Finance Minister, Prime Minister, and President, Jayewardene spearheaded monumental infrastructure projects, opened the economy, and positioned Sri Lanka globally.

President J.R. Jayewardene was elected to the State Council on April 17, 1943. Subsequently, on September 18, 1947, he won the Kelaniya seat and was elected to Parliament.

Accordingly, he was appointed as Sri Lanka's first Minister of Finance on September 26, 1947, in the country's first Parliament, where he took numerous historic decisions for the development of Sr...