YOHAN PERERA  Courtesy The Daily Mirror

Colombo, April 1 (Daily Mirror) – Those who pasted posters calling for the execution of late President J. R. Jayewardene in the 1980s have failed to change the policies of Mr. Jayewardene though they have remained in power for more than a year, a senior media personality said.

Regional Advisor (Asia) International Media Support Dr. Ranga Kalansooriya who was speaking at a launch of the book. The J.R. I Disliked” penned by former Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said those in power in Sri Lanka have failed to bring a system change as per the pledge they have made in their electoral manifesto.

I requested information from AI on late President Jayewardene. I was told he had a strategic political vision. We have not been able to move out of his vision to this date. Mr. Bakeer Markar once said that those who criticized Jayewardene have not been able to change the constitution and it has become a twist of fate. Those who pasted posters calling for JR’s death have been in power for more than a year and they have not been able change it. His economic policy has not changed. There were at least five to compete as Mr. Jayewardene’s successors. Today there are no potential successors for political leadership.

Political figure Rehan Jayawickrama who also spoke stressed the need for giving space for the young Young should be nurtured to become leaders,” he said.