However, several dignitaries including President J. R. Jayewardene and some government ministers were present at the occasion.
Jayewardene and Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi finally concluded the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, which provided for devolution of powers to Tamil dominated regions, an Indian peacekeeping force in the north, and the demobilization of the LTTE.
With the blessings of then UNP Leader J. R. Jayewardene, he contested the Ampara seat at the 1977 General Election and won with a majority of 8,000 votes recording the first ever victory for the UNP in Ampara electorate.
General Ranatunga is of the opinion that the Indo Lanka Peace Accord was forced down Sri Lanka’s throat at a time when the then President, J.R. Jayewardene wanted no such thing.