{
  "id": 8565388,
  "title": "The Old Fox and his clones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/the-old-fox-and-his-clones",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T23:50:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/the-old-fox-and-his-clones/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On the 120th birth anniversary of President J. R. Jayewardene, commonly known as the Old Fox, a commemoration event was held in Colombo. The UNP and its offshoot, the SJB, with their leaders Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, respectively, attended the well-attended gathering. Jayewardene, dubbed \"Yankee Dickie\" due to his pro-American stance, transformed the UNP from a mere 17 seats in the 1970 general election to a massive victory just seven years later. He opened up Sri Lanka's economy and reoriented the country's geopolitical alignment in a bipolar world, but his rule was marked by both progress and decline.\n\nThe 1978 Constitution, entrenched the executive presidential system, one of the most enduring features of Jayewardene's political legacy. Critics argue that his successors, except Ranasinghe Premadasa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, have followed the Machiavellian maxim on promises and considered 'the word broken is the necessity of the present'. Jayewardene made no bones about his autocratic disposition and sought to keep the judiciary under his thumb. However, he did so with little success, thanks to some upright judges who acted without fear or favour.\n\nIt seems that the JVP should replace Rohana Wijeweera's portrait with that of JRJ, as their current policies are more closely aligned with Jayewardene's capitalist ideology. The SLFP and the SLPP, too, should consider hanging a portrait of JRJ at their offices for adopting his policies. Despite criticism and denouncement, the leaders of these parties have emulated Jayewardene's approach to power and politics.",
  "summary": "The 120th birth anniversary of President J. R. Jayewardene (JRJ) was commemorated in Colombo on Thursday. The well-attended event, with a representative audience, brought the UNP and its offshoot, the SJB, together, with their leaders, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, respectively, stressing the need for their parties to unite and fight […]",
  "key_points": [
    "J. R. Jayewardene, known as the Old Fox, commemorated on his 120th birth anniversary",
    "UNP and SJB leaders Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa attended the event",
    "Jayewardene transformed UNP from 17 seats to massive victory in 7 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}