J.R.Jayewardene Centre

Junius Richard Jayewardene, widely known as JR and scion of an illustrious Sri Lankan family, served as Prime Minister from 1977 to 1978 and as President from 1978 till 1989. The center in Colombo city that bears his name was set up to safeguard a legacy that included being the driving force that established tourism as a major contributor the Sri Lanka’s economic development. The center, created at his former childhood home, was originally intended as a place to keep and display all the gifts he received as head of state, his books, and his presidential archive. It later expanded to provide classes in disciplines such as meditation, arts and crafts, information technology and languages, and also makes available scholarships for children who cannot afford higher education.