The government of J. R. Jayawardene swept to power in 1977, defeating the largely unpopular United Front government.<unk> The government of J. R. Jayawardene swept to power in 1977, defeating the largely unpopular United Front government.<unk> The government of J. R. Jayawardene swept to power in 1977, defeating the largely unpopular United Front government. Jayawardene introduced a new constitution, along with a free-market economy and a powerful executive presidency modeled after that of France. Jayawardene introduced a new constitution, along with a free-market economy and a powerful executive presidency modeled after that of France. Sri Lanka has become the first South Asian country to liberalize its economy. ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk> ️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️<unk>️
July 1983, allegedly backed by Sinhalese hard-line ministers, which resulted in more than 150,000 Tamil civilians fleeing the island, seeking asylum in other countries.