John McEwen vs S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike

McEwen was appointed Minister for Trade and Industry in the Menzies government. He held this position for over two decades, shaping Australia's trade policies and protectionist economic strategies.

McEwen became leader of the Country Party in 1958. He led the party for 13 years, maintaining its influence in coalition governments and advocating for rural and agricultural interests.

McEwen became Prime Minister on 19 December 1967 after the disappearance of Harold Holt. He served as interim leader for 23 days until John Gorton was elected Liberal Party leader.

S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike became Prime Minister of Ceylon on April 12, 1956, leading the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) coalition. His victory marked a shift from the UNP's pro-Western policies to a more nationalist and socialist agenda.

Bandaranaike's government passed the Official Language Act, making Sinhala the sole official language of Ceylon. This act marginalized the Tamil-speaking minority, leading to increased ethnic tensions and the first anti-Tamil riots in 1958.

Bandaranaike signed a pact with Tamil leader S. J. V. Chelvanayakam to devolve power to Tamil regions, including recognition of Tamil as a minority language. The pact was never implemented due to opposition from Sinhala nationalists, contributing to his assassination.

Bandaranaike was assassinated on September 25, 1959, by Talduwe Somarama, a Buddhist monk, at his residence in Colombo. The assassination was motivated by opposition to his policies, including the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayakam Pact, which aimed to address Tamil grievances.