About
J.R. Jayewardene

Junius Richard Jayewardene was born 17-9-1906 to the lawyer and later Chief
Justice Eugene Wilfred Jayewardene and his wife Agnes Helen. The eldest of eleven
children, he was educated at Royal College, Colombo. An active career at school
included prizes for reading and oratory, being a member of the cricket team and
playing in the Royal-Thomian big match. He also captained the rugger team in 1925,
played football and was a member of the Cadet Platoon. He was known as Dickie to
his family and close friends but the world will remember him fondly as ‘J. R.

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J-R-Jayawardena-Image

About
J.R. Jayewardene

Junius Richard Jayewardene was born 17-9-1906 to the lawyer and later Chief Justice Eugene Wilfred Jayewardene and his wife Agnes Helen. The eldest of eleven children, he was educated at Royal College, Colombo. An active career at school included prizes for reading and oratory, being a member of the cricket team and playing in the Royal-Thomian big match. He also captained the rugger team in 1925, played football and was a member of the Cadet Platoon. He was known as Dickie to his family and close friends but the world will remember him fondly as ‘J. R.
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About J.R. Jayewardene Centre

 The Centre was established by act of Parliament titled J.R Jayewardene Centre Act No. 77 of 1988. The act specified the venue as 191, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 07. It was an apt depository for the treasure for it was the house where President Jayewardene spent a part of his childhood and later till 1938 the year he shifted to his own house ‘Braemar’.

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Be a
reader in
Our Library

J.R. Jayewardene library is a research library which holds more than 16000 titles, among them are reference books, rare first editions, books on Sri Lanka covering wide range of subjects including history, poetry (English and Sinhala), contemporary politics, social science and government publications.

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Books
Publications
Researches

The Museum of
J.R. Jayewardene Centre

One of the most illustrious collections of personal memorabilia, the museum contains about 600 items gifted to President Jayewardene by Kings, Queens and Heads of States and many other state and religious dignitaries the world around

Virtual Tour

The Japanese
Museum

Japanese museum is a separate entity housed in a separate hall which contains mainly mementos depicting exclusively Japanese art and culture. As one enters what catches the eye is an exquisitely finished bronze bust of President Jayewardene with the inscription.

Virtual Tour
Japanese-Museum-Background
Our Publications
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Visitors Say
The J R Jayawardene centre is the Presidential Library and study centre of a Sri Lankan President who had a long career both in government and opposition. It contains many paintings, gifts from distinguished visitors and his personal library with no charge to enter. The latter may be of particular interest to those studying political science, international relations and history.
Lahiru Madushanka