Republican constitution and the First Republic (1972-1978)

1. United Front wins mandate for a new constitution

   May 27, 1970Labels: United Front, Sirimavo Bandaranaike

   • Britannica
   • Natl Archives

2. Constitution Drafting Board appointed in Colombo

   Jul 19, 1970Labels: Constitution Drafting, Colombo

   • Natl Archives

3. JVP insurrection challenges state authority

   Apr 5, 1971Labels: JVP, Janatha Vimukthi

   • Britannica
   • JVP 1971

4. Senate abolished, moving toward unicameral rule

   Oct 2, 1971Labels: Senate, Unicameral parliament

   • Parliament Ceylon
   • Britannica

5. Draft constitution presented to the Constituent Assembly

   Dec 29, 1971Labels: Constituent Assembly, Draft Constitution

   • Monarchy Ceylon
   • Natl Archives

6. Republican constitution adopted; Ceylon becomes Sri Lanka

   May 22, 1972Labels: 1972 Constitution, Republic of

   • Natl Archives
   • Britannica
   • 1972 Constitution

7. National State Assembly begins under First Republic

   May 22, 1972Labels: National State, First Republic

   • Natl Assembly
   • Natl Archives

8. Tamil parties unify around the TULF platform

   Jan 1, 1976Labels: TULF, Tamil parties

   • Britannica
   • Chelvanayakam

9. Vaddukoddai Resolution calls for Tamil Eelam

   May 14, 1976Labels: Vaddukoddai Resolution, Tamil Eelam

   • Vaddukoddai
   • Chelvanayakam

10. UNP landslide election defeat ends United Front era

    Jul 21, 1977Labels: UNP, J R

    • 1977 Election
    • Britannica

11. Second republican constitution ratified by assembly vote

    Aug 31, 1978Labels: 1978 Constitution, Assembly ratification

    • 1978 Constitution
    • Britannica

12. 1978 constitution takes effect, closing the First Republic

    Sep 7, 1978Labels: 1978 Constitution, Second Republic

    • 1978 Constitution
    • Natl Assembly