| Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in , President of the country since Country: Sri Lanka |
Mahinda Rajapaksa was born in in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka to a lawyer and former Member of Parliament. He followed in his father's footsteps, earning a law degree from Galle College and the University of Colombo.
In , Rajapaksa became the youngest Member of Parliament in Sri Lankan history. An advocate of left-centrist politics, he served in various capacities within the government, including:
In , Rajapaksa led the United People's Alliance (UPFA) to victory in the parliamentary elections, securing the position of Prime Minister.
Following the Supreme Court's ruling on the expiration of the previous president's term, Rajapaksa was elected President of Sri Lanka in He remained in office until the conclusion of his term in
Rajapaksa's tenure was marked by both significant achievements and controversies:
Advocated for peace negotiations with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Oversaw the aftermath of the devastating Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, earning praise for his response.
Faced criticism for his authoritarian policies and alleged human rights violations.
After leaving office, Rajapaksa remained an influential figure in Sri Lankan politics. He served as Prime Minister once again from to and continued to advocate for his political beliefs.