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Mahinda RajapaksePrime Minister of Sri Lanka in 2004-2005, President of the country since 2005.
Country:
 Sri Lanka |
Content:
- Mahinda Rajapaksa: Premier and President of Sri Lanka
- Political Career
- Minister of Labour (1994-2001)
President
- Leadership and Legacy
- Later Years
Mahinda Rajapaksa: Premier and President of Sri Lanka
Early Life and EducationMahinda Rajapaksa was born in 1946 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.
Political Career
Member of Parliament
In 1970, 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:
Minister of Labour (1994-2001)
Minister of Fisheries (2001-2004)Leader of the Opposition (2001-2004)
Prime Minister
In 2004, Rajapaksa led the United People's Alliance (UPFA) to victory in the parliamentary elections, securing the position of Prime Minister.
President
Following the Supreme Court's ruling on the expiration of the previous president's term, Rajapaksa was elected President of Sri Lanka in 2005. He remained in office until the conclusion of his term in 2015.
Leadership and Legacy
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 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, earning praise for his response.
Faced criticism for his authoritarian policies and alleged human rights violations.
Later Years
After leaving office, Rajapaksa remained an influential figure in Sri Lankan politics. He served as Prime Minister once again from 2018 to 2019 and continued to advocate for his political beliefs.
