Conversation so far:
what was J.
R.
Jayewardene's legacy?
On the ethnic question, Jayewardene's legacy is bitterly divisive.
what is bitterly divisive about it?
When he took office, ethnic tensions were present but the country as a whole was at peace.

Question: did he help with the tensions?
Self-contained rewrite: Did J. R. Jayewardene help with the tensions that were present when taking office?