Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 1977
Encyclopedia
The 1977 Sri Lankan election heralded the beginning of a new period of Sri Lanka
's history - a period of unprecedented violence.
Sirimavo Bandaranaike
had become extraordinarily unpopular. Her economic policies had led to industrial growth and self-reliance, but was insufficient to overcome unemployment. Constitutionally, she had taken advantage of the 1972 constitution to delay the election until 1977, instead of 1975 as would have been the case under the old Soulbury constitution. The government's strong Sinhala
nationalist stance had led to unrest in the Tamil north; in response, an island-wide state of emergency
was imposed, causing hardship to many people. The UF
coalition Bandaranaike had built for the 1970 elections had disintegrated.
By contrast, the United National Party
had made a surprising comeback since its 1970 humiliation
. Under the leadership of J.R. Jayewardene
it had assiduously built up its ground organization. The UNP promised to solve the ethnic problem with a devolution
package. Economically, it proposed opening up the Sri Lankan economy again. Constitutionally, the UNP called for replacing the Westminster-based political system
with one modelled along French
lines. Most importantly, it promised a free extra ration of eight pound
s of cereal
(the so-called eta ata), on top of the existing ration of two kilogram
s of rice
.
More portentous was the status of the Tamil parties. The old federalist Tamil parties had merged to form the Tamil United Liberation Front
, led by Appapillai Amirthalingam
, which had gone beyond regional autonomy to openly call for independence
of the Tamil-speaking regions of the country.
and became the Official Opposition.
Abeyratne Pilapitiya of the UNP was elected MP for Kalawana, but was subsequently unseated in an election petition. Sarath Muttetuwegama of the Communist Party was returned to Parliament in the ensuing by-election.
The 1977 election was the only one ever held under the 1972 constitution.
Source
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
's history - a period of unprecedented violence.
Background
Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Sri Lanka
The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka is the functional head of the Cabinet of Sri Lanka. However, the President is both head of state and head of government in Sri Lanka...
Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Sirimavo Bandaranaike
Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike was a Sri Lankan politician and the world's first female head of government...
had become extraordinarily unpopular. Her economic policies had led to industrial growth and self-reliance, but was insufficient to overcome unemployment. Constitutionally, she had taken advantage of the 1972 constitution to delay the election until 1977, instead of 1975 as would have been the case under the old Soulbury constitution. The government's strong Sinhala
Sinhalese people
The Sinhalese are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group,forming the majority of Sri Lanka,constituting 74% of the Sri Lankan population.They number approximately 15 million worldwide.The Sinhalese identity is based on language, heritage and religion. The Sinhalese speak Sinhala, an Indo-Aryan language and the...
nationalist stance had led to unrest in the Tamil north; in response, an island-wide state of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
was imposed, causing hardship to many people. The UF
United Front (Sri Lanka)
The United Front was a political alliance in Sri Lanka, formed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party , the Lanka Sama Samaja Party and the Communist Party of Sri Lanka in 1968...
coalition Bandaranaike had built for the 1970 elections had disintegrated.
By contrast, the United National Party
United National Party
The United National Party, often referred to as the UNP ), , is a political party in Sri Lanka. It currently is the main opposition party in Sri Lanka and is headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe...
had made a surprising comeback since its 1970 humiliation
Sri Lankan parliamentary election, 1970
-Background:SLFP leader Sirimavo Bandaranaike had come to the conclusion that her party's best hope of power was forming a permanent alliance with Ceylon's Marxist parties. She assembled the SLFP, the Trotskyist LSSP, and the Communists into the United Front coalition...
. Under the leadership of J.R. Jayewardene
Junius Richard Jayewardene
Junius Richard Jayewardene , famously abbreviated in Sri Lanka as JR, was the first executive President of Sri Lanka, serving from 1978 till 1989. He was a leader of the nationalist movement in Ceylon who served in a variety of cabinet positions in the decades following independence...
it had assiduously built up its ground organization. The UNP promised to solve the ethnic problem with a devolution
Devolution
Devolution is the statutory granting of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to government at a subnational level, such as a regional, local, or state level. Devolution can be mainly financial, e.g. giving areas a budget which was formerly administered by central government...
package. Economically, it proposed opening up the Sri Lankan economy again. Constitutionally, the UNP called for replacing the Westminster-based political system
Westminster System
The Westminster system is a democratic parliamentary system of government modelled after the politics of the United Kingdom. This term comes from the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the Parliament of the United Kingdom....
with one modelled along French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
lines. Most importantly, it promised a free extra ration of eight pound
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
s of cereal
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
(the so-called eta ata), on top of the existing ration of two kilogram
Kilogram
The kilogram or kilogramme , also known as the kilo, is the base unit of mass in the International System of Units and is defined as being equal to the mass of the International Prototype Kilogram , which is almost exactly equal to the mass of one liter of water...
s of rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
.
More portentous was the status of the Tamil parties. The old federalist Tamil parties had merged to form the Tamil United Liberation Front
Tamil United Liberation Front
The Tamil United Liberation Front is a political party in Sri Lanka which seeks independence for the Tamil-populated areas of Sri Lanka.-Formation:...
, led by Appapillai Amirthalingam
Appapillai Amirthalingam
Appapillai Amirthalingam was a leading Sri Lankan Tamil politician, Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition. Amirthalingam was assassinated by the Tamil Tigers. -Early life:...
, which had gone beyond regional autonomy to openly call for independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
of the Tamil-speaking regions of the country.
Results
The UNP won the largest landslide in Sri Lankan history (due to the first-past-the-post system). For the first time, a Tamil party won the second-highest number of seats in ParliamentParliament of Sri Lanka
The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the 225-member unicameral legislature of Sri Lanka. The members of Parliament are elected by proportional representation for six-year terms, with universal suffrage. Parliament reserves the power to make all laws...
and became the Official Opposition.
Abeyratne Pilapitiya of the UNP was elected MP for Kalawana, but was subsequently unseated in an election petition. Sarath Muttetuwegama of the Communist Party was returned to Parliament in the ensuing by-election.
The 1977 election was the only one ever held under the 1972 constitution.
Colombo District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombo North | M. Vincent Perera | Elephant | |||
| Colombo Central | R.Premadasa Ranasinghe Premadasa Ranasinghe Premadasa was the 3rd President of Sri Lanka from January 2, 1989 to May 1, 1993. Before that, he served as the Prime Minister in the government headed by J. R. Jayewardene from February 6, 1978 to January 1, 1989... |
Elephant | |||
| Colombo Central | M.Jabir A. Cader | Eye | |||
| Colombo Central | M.Haleem Ishak | Hand | |||
| Borella | M.H.Mohomed M. H. Mohamed Mohamed Haniffa Mohamed is a Sri Lankan politician, a former member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and a former government minister.-References:... |
Elephant | |||
| Colombo East | A.Edmund Samarawickrema | Elephant | |||
| Colombo West | J.R.Jayewardene Junius Richard Jayewardene Junius Richard Jayewardene , famously abbreviated in Sri Lanka as JR, was the first executive President of Sri Lanka, serving from 1978 till 1989. He was a leader of the nationalist movement in Ceylon who served in a variety of cabinet positions in the decades following independence... |
Elephant | |||
| Dehiwala | S. de S. Jayasinghe | Elephant | |||
| Ratmalana | Lalith Athulathmudali Lalith Athulathmudali Lalith William Samarasekera Athulathmudali , PC was a Sri Lankan politician of the United National Party and former Cabinet Minister of Trade, National Security, Agriculture, Education and deputy minister of defence.-Early life and teaching career:Born to a family of Lawyers, his... |
Elephant | |||
| Kolonnawa | Weerasinghe Mallimaratchchi | Elephant | |||
| Kotte | Ananda Tissa de Alwis | Elephant | |||
| Kaduwela | M.D.H. Jayawardana | Elephant | |||
| Awissawella | M.D.Premarathna | Eephant | Homagama | Gamani Jayasuriya | Elephant |
| Maharagama | Premaratne Gunasekera | Elephant | |||
| Kesbewa | Dharmasena Attigalle | Elephant | |||
| Moratuwa | Tyronne Fernando | Elephant | |||
Gampaha District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Wattala | D. Shelton Jayasinghe | Elephant |
| Negambo | N. Denzil Fernando | Elepant |
| Katana | Wijayapala Mendis | Elephant |
| Divulapitiya | Ariyaratne Jayatillake | Elephant |
| Mirigama | Mahendra Wijeratne | Elephant |
| Minuwangoda | Bennet Gunasekera | Elephant |
| Attanagalla | Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias | Hand |
| Gampaha | S.D.Bandaranayake | Hand |
| Ja-ela | Joseph Michael Perera | Elephant |
| Mahara | Tudor Gunasekera | Elephant |
| Dompe | Sarathchandra Rajakaruna | Elephant |
| Biyagama | Ranil Wickremasinghe Ranil Wickremasinghe Ranil Shriyan Wickremesinghe , MP, is a Sri Lankan politician and current Leader of the Opposition in the Sri Lankan parliament. He was Prime Minister of Sri Lanka twice, from May 7, 1993 to August 19, 1994 and from December 9, 2001 to April 6, 2004... |
Elephant |
| Kelaniya | Kaluwadewage Cyril Mathew | Elephant |
Kalutara District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Panadura | Neville Fernando | Elephant |
| Bandaragama | Senaraja Samaranayake | Elephant |
| Horana | Indradasa Hettiarachchi | Elephant |
| Bulathsinhala | O.S. Perera | Elephant |
| Mathugama | Reginold V. Wijegooneratne | Elephant |
| Kalutara | V.L.Wijemanne | Elephant |
| Beruwala | Bakeer Markar Abduli | Elephant |
| Agalawatta | Merill Kariyawasam | Elephant |
Matale District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Dambulla | K.W.R.M.Ekananayake | Elephant |
| Laggala | J.G.Wijeratne Banda | Elephant |
| Matale | Alick Aluvihare | Elephant |
| Rattota | P.B.Kaviratne | Elephant |
Kandy District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Galagedara | W.M.G.T. Banda | Elephant |
| Harispattuwa | Abdul Cader Sahul Hameed | Elephant |
| Harispattuwa | R. Premachandra Wijesiri | Umbrella |
| Pathadumbara | T.B. Werapitiya | Elephant |
| Udadumbara | R.B. Attanayake | Elephant |
| Teldeniya | Gamini Rajapakse | Elephant |
| Kundasale | D.M. Chandrapala | Elephant |
| Hewaheta | Anura Daniel | Elephant |
| Senkadagala | Shelton Ranaraja | Elephant |
| Mahanuwara | E.L. Senanayake | Elephant |
| Yatinuwara | Sunil Subasiri Abeysundara | Elephant |
| Udunuwara | D.B. Wijetunga Dingiri Banda Wijetunga Dingiri Banda Wijetunga was the President of Sri Lanka from May 1, 1993 to November 12, 1994, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka from March 3, 1989 to May 7, 1993 and the Governor of North Western province, Sri Lanka from 1988 to 1989.-Early life:... |
Elephant |
| Gampola | W.P.B. Dissanayake | Elephant |
Nuwaraeliya District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Navalapitiya | Chandradra Karunaratne | Elephant |
| Nuwaraeliya Maskeliya | Gamini Dissanayake Gamini Dissanayake Lionel Gamini Dissanayake was a prominent Sri Lankan politician and a former presidential candidate and Leader of the Opposition.-Early life:... |
Elephant |
| Nuwaraeliya Maskeliya | Anura Bandaranaike Anura Bandaranaike Anura Priyadarshi Solomon Dias Bandaranaike was a Sri Lankan politician, served as Speaker , and in several cabinet ministries as Foreign Minister briefly in 2005, Minister of Higher Education , Minister of Tourism , Minister of National Heritage and Leader of the Opposition... |
Hand |
| Nuwaraeliya Maskeliya | S. Thondaman Savumiamoorthy Thondaman Savumiamoorthy Thondaman also spelled Saumyamurthy Thondaman. is a Sri Lankan politician who represented the Indian Tamils of Sri Lanka of which he was a member... |
Cockerei |
| Kothmale | Ananda Dassanayake | Hand |
| Hanguranketha | George Abeygoonasekera | Elephant |
| Walapane | Renuka Herath Renuka Herath Dunuthilaka Mudiyanselage Renuka Menike Herath is a Sri Lankan politician and a former member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.-References:... (Mrs.) |
Elephant |
Galle District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Balapitiya | Norman Waidyaratna | Elephant |
| Ambalangoda | Raitor Thilakasekara | Elephant |
| Karandeniya | Bandulahewa Senadheera | Elephant |
| Bentara-Elpitiya | Rupasena Karunatilake | Elephant |
| Hiniduma | M.S. Amarasiri | Elephant |
| Baddegama | E.D. Wickrematilaka | Elephant |
| Rathgma | Edwin Thilakaratne | Elephant |
| Galle | Albert de Silva | Elephant |
| Akmeemana | Sumanadasa Abeywickrema | Elephant |
| Habaraduwa | P. Sumathiratne | Elephant |
| Deniyaya | Keerthisena Abeywickrama | Elephant |
Matara District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Hakmana | Harshanath Wanigasekara | Elephant |
| Akuressa | Dayananda Wickremasinghe | Elephant |
| Kamburupitiya | D.E. Malawaraarachchi | Elephant |
| Devinuwara | Ronnie de Mel | Elephant |
| Matara | S.K. Piyadasa | Elephant |
| Weligama | Montague Jayawickrema | Elephant |
Hambantota District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Mulkirigala | T.D.Fransisku | Elephant |
| Beliatta | Ranjith Atapattu | Elephant |
| Tangalle | Jinadasa Weerasinghe | Elephant |
| Tissamaharama | P.M.B. Cyril | Elephant |
Jaffna District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Kayts | K.P. Ratnam | Sun |
| Waddukkodai | T. Thirunavukarasu | Sun |
| Kankesanthurai | A. Amirthalingam Appapillai Amirthalingam Appapillai Amirthalingam was a leading Sri Lankan Tamil politician, Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition. Amirthalingam was assassinated by the Tamil Tigers. -Early life:... |
Sun |
| Kopai | S. Kathiravelupillai | Sun |
| Udduppidi | T. Rasalingam | Sun |
| Point-Pedro | K. Thurairatnam | Sun |
| Chavakachcheri | V.N. Navaratnam | Sun |
| Nallur | M. Sivasithamparam | Sun |
| Jaffna | V. Yogeswaran | Sun |
Vanni District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Kilinochchi | V. Anandasangary | Sun |
| Mannar | P.S. Soosaithasan | Sun |
| Mulativu | X.M.Sellathambu | Sun |
| Vavuniya | T. Sivasithamparam | Sun |
Trincomalee District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Seruvila | H.D.L. Leelaratne | Elephant |
| Trincomalee | R. Sampathan Rajavarothiam Sampanthan Rajavarothiam Sampanthan is a leading Sri Lankan Tamil politician, Member of Parliament and leader of the Tamil National Alliance and Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi.-Early life:... |
Sun |
Batticalao District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Mutur | M.E.H. Maharoof | Elephant |
| Kalkudah | K.W. Devanayagam | Elephant |
| Batticaloa | C.Rajadurai | Sun |
| Paddiruppu | P. Ganeshalingam | Sun |
Ampara District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Ampara | P. Dayaratna P. Dayaratna Petikirige Dayaratna is a Sri Lankan politician and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He was elected to Ampara electorate in 1977 as a Member of Parliament from the United National Party.-Biography:... |
Elephant |
| Samanthurai | M.A. Abdul Majeed | Elephant |
| Kalmunai | Abdul Rasak Mansoor | Elephant |
| Potuvil | M.A.M. Jalaldeen | Elephant |
Puttalam District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Puttalam | M.H.M. Neina Marikkar | Elephant |
| Anamaduwa | Saddhatissa Wadigamangawa | Elephant |
| Chilaw | Harindra Corea | Elepahant |
| Nattandiya | Harold Herath | Elephant |
| Wennappuwa | Festus Perera | Elephant |
Kurunegala District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Galgamuwa | H.M.A. Lokubanda | Elephant |
| Nikaweratiya | H.B. Wanninayake | Elephant |
| Yapahuwa | H.B. Abeyratne | Elephant |
| Hiriyala | S.B. Herath | Elephant |
| Wariyapola | Amarawathie Piyaseeli Ratnayake Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake is a Sri Lankan politician, a former member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka and a former government minister.-References:... (Mrs.) |
Elephant |
| Panduwasnuwara | Kalubanda Ratnayake | Elephant |
| Bingiriya | J.L. Sirisena | Elephant |
| Katugampola | Jayawicrema Perera Gamini Jayawickrama Perera Mallawa Arachchige Gamini Jayawickrama Perera a Member of Parliament representing Kurunegala District.He is the Chairman of United National Party and former Cabinet Minister .... |
Elephant |
| Kuliyapitiya | Lionel Jayatillake | Elephant |
| Dambadeniya | Ukkubanda Wijekoon | Elephant |
| Polgahawela | J.A.D.S. R. Jayakody | Elephant |
| Kurunegala | Dingiri Banda Welagedera | Elephant |
| Mawathagama | G.M. Premachandra | Elephant |
| Dodangaslanda | S.W. Alawatuwala | Elephant |
Anuradapura District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Medawachchiya | Maithripala Senanayake Maithripala Senanayake Maithripala Senanayake was a Sri Lankan politician and Governor of the North-Central province. He first studied at St. Joseph's College, Anuradhapura then at St... |
Hand |
| Horoupothana | E.L.B.Hurulle | Elephant |
| Anuradhapura East | W.Y. Herath | Elephant |
| Anuradhapura West | K.D.M.C. Bandara | Elephant |
| Kalawewa | A.M.S. Adikari | Elephant |
| Mihintale | Dayaratne Walagambahu | Elephant |
| Kekirawa | G.D. Mahindsoma | Elephant |
Polonnaruwa District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Minneriya | Merril de Silva | Elephant |
| Medirigiriya | A.D.B. Ekanayake | Elephant |
| Polonnaruwa | H.G.P. Nelson |
Badulla District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Mahiyangana | C.P.J.Seneviratne | Elephant |
| Viyaluwa | Weerawanni Samaraweera | Elephant |
| Passara | W.M. Karunaratne | Elephant |
| Badulla | D. Vincent Perera | Elephant |
| Hali-ela | R.M. Abeykoon | Elephant |
| Uva-paranagama | R.M. Karunaratne | Elephant |
| Welimada | Percy Samaraweera | Elephant |
| Bandarawela | R.M.Apphamy | Elephant |
| Haputale | W.J.M.Lokubandara W. J. M. Lokubandara Wijesinghe Jayaweera Mudiyanselage Lokubandara , commonly known as W. J. M. Lokubandara, is the current Governor of Sabaragamuwa Province and former Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka. He is a lawyer by profession, and is also an author of several books and a song writer... |
Elephant |
Monaragala District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Bibile | R.M.Dharmadasa Banda | Elephant |
| Moneragala | R.M. Punchi Bandara | Elephant |
| Wellawaya | J.M. Kumaradasa | Elephant |
Kegalla District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Dedigama | Nissanka Parakrama Wijayaratne Nissanka Wijeyeratne Deshamanya Nissanka Parakrama Wijeyeratne was a Sri Lankan politician, civil servant and diplomat. He was also the Diyawadana Nilame of the Temple of the Tooth from 1975 to 1985... |
Elephant |
| Galigamuwa | Wimala Kannangara (Mrs.) | Elephant |
| Kegalle | N.A. Seneviratne | Elephnt |
| Rambukkana | Asoka Karunaratne | Elephant |
| Mawanella | C.R. Beligammana | Elephant |
| Aranayaka | Wasantha Udayaratne | Elephant |
| Yatiyantota | K. Vincent Perera | Elephant |
| Ruwanwella | P.C. Imbulana | Elephant |
| Deraniyagala | A.K.D. Wanigaratne | Elephant |
Ratnapura District
| Electorate | Name of the Elected | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Ehaliyagoda | Mervyn Kularatne | Elephant |
| Ratnapura | G.V. Punchinilame | Elephant |
| Pelmadulla | Chandrasekera Gankanda | Elephant |
| Balangoda | M.L.M.Aboosally | Elephant |
| Rakwana | H. Kularatne | Elephant |
| Nivitigala | Gamini Athukorale | Elephant |
| Kalawana | Abeyratna Pilapitiya | Elephant |
| Kolonna | Caluwadewage Nanda Mathew | Elephant |
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