Early Life and Military Career

Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa was born on June 20, 1949, in Palatuwa, Matara District, in southern Sri Lanka. He was the younger brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa, a future President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Gotabaya received his early education at Ananda College in Colombo. In 1971, he joined the Sri Lanka Army and served for over two decades, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He participated in major military operations during Sri Lanka’s civil war against the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). After retiring in the 1990s, he moved to the United States, where he became a U.S. permanent resident and worked in the IT sector.

Return to Sri Lanka and Role as Defence Secretary

Gotabaya returned to Sri Lanka in 2005 when his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa became President. He was appointed Secretary of Defence and Urban Development, a role in which he wielded significant influence. He played a crucial role in orchestrating the final military campaign against the LTTE, which led to the end of the civil war in 2009. While many in the Sinhalese majority celebrated the victory, it drew international criticism over alleged war crimes and human rights violations.

Under his tenure, the urban landscape of Colombo underwent modernization, but his leadership style was seen as authoritarian, with accusations of media suppression and intolerance for dissent. Nevertheless, he gained a strong reputation as a disciplined and effective administrator among many Sri Lankans.

Presidency and Vision for Development

In 2019, Gotabaya Rajapaksa ran for president as the candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). Capitalizing on public dissatisfaction after the deadly Easter Sunday terrorist attacks and his image as a strongman, he won the election decisively. He took office as the 8th Executive President of Sri Lanka on November 18, 2019.

His administration launched the “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” initiative, focusing on agriculture, digital innovation, infrastructure, and national security. However, he also appointed numerous family members to key positions, leading to widespread accusations of nepotism. His presidency quickly became known for centralized control, a weakened parliament, and marginalization of opposition voices.

Economic Collapse and Popular Uprising

Gotabaya’s presidency began to unravel due to a series of economic missteps. Sweeping tax cuts in 2019 severely reduced government revenue, and a sudden ban on chemical fertilizers in 2021 devastated agriculture. These policies, combined with pandemic-related tourism losses and mounting foreign debt, led to a severe economic collapse by 2022.

Sri Lanka experienced extreme shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, triggering mass protests across the country. Amid intense public outrage, Gotabaya fled Sri Lanka in July 2022 and resigned from the presidency while abroad—becoming the first Sri Lankan leader to resign due to a people-led uprising.

Legacy

Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s legacy remains controversial. Celebrated by some as a war hero and efficient administrator, he is also widely blamed for leading Sri Lanka into its worst economic crisis in decades. His dramatic fall from power underscored the perils of centralized governance, poor economic planning, and lack of transparency in democratic leadership.