Rajapaksa

Rajapaksa is a prominent Sri Lankan political family whose members have held major offices since the early 2000s. The surname is Sinhala in origin and the family is closely associated with the southern Hambantota area, where several members built their political base. The Rajapaksa name has become a shorthand for a broader political network that has exerted influence over Sri Lankan politics for decades.

Key figures include Mahinda Rajapaksa (born 1945), who served as President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015 and played a central role in the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war. His brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa (born 1949) served as Secretary of Defence and National Security before becoming President from 2019 to 2022, overseeing security and later facing a severe economic and political crisis that contributed to his resignation. Chamal Rajapaksa, another elder brother, held senior parliamentary roles including Speaker of the Parliament from 2010 to 2015. Basil Rajapaksa (born 1951) has been a key economic figure within the family’s political apparatus, serving in ministerial positions related to finance and economic development during the 2010s. Namal Rajapaksa (born 1986), Mahinda’s son, is a member of Parliament and has been active in contemporary political affairs, representing the next generation of the family.

The Rajapaksa era is associated with strong nationalist governance, infrastructural initiatives in the south, and a policy focus that reshaped Sri Lankan politics. The family’s dominance has drawn criticism for dynastic politics and concerns about nepotism and governance, particularly during periods of intense political competition and economic difficulty.

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