Early Life and Family Background

Percy Mahendra “Mahinda” Rajapaksa was born on November 18, 1945, in Weeraketiya, located in Sri Lanka’s southern Hambantota District. He grew up in a politically influential family—his father, D. A. Rajapaksa, helped found the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and served as a Member of Parliament. Mahinda attended Richmond College in Galle and later Nalanda College in Colombo. He then studied law at Sri Lanka Law College, qualified as an advocate, and briefly practiced law before dedicating himself fully to politics.

Entry into Politics

In 1970, at the age of 24, Rajapaksa entered Parliament by winning the Beliatta constituency seat. Although he lost his seat during the 1977 landslide victory of the United National Party (UNP), he made a strong comeback in 1989 by winning a seat as the MP for Hambantota. He built a reputation for championing labor rights and rural issues, earning a name as a people-centered politician. Throughout his career, he held several cabinet portfolios, including Minister of Labour and Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

Ascent to Power

In 2004, President Chandrika Kumaratunga appointed Rajapaksa as Prime Minister. The following year, he ran for president and won the 2005 election, becoming Sri Lanka’s sixth Executive President. His nationalist and populist leadership style resonated strongly with rural communities and expanded his political support.

Civil War and Military Victory

Rajapaksa oversaw the final phase of the civil war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Under his leadership—and with his brother, Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, coordinating military strategy—the armed forces launched a decisive offensive. By May 2009, they defeated the LTTE, effectively ending the decades-long conflict. This military victory brought peace and national pride, though it also drew international criticism over alleged human rights violations during the war’s final stages.

Development Drive and Criticism

After the war, Rajapaksa initiated an aggressive infrastructure development program. He spearheaded the construction of roads, ports, and airports, including the Hambantota Port and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. He financed most of these projects with Chinese loans, which later raised concerns about rising national debt and economic dependency on China.

Critics accused him of consolidating power, curbing media freedom, and tolerating widespread corruption. He appointed many family members to key government positions, leading to allegations of nepotism and authoritarianism.

Electoral Defeat and Comeback

In 2015, Rajapaksa lost the presidential election to his former ally, Maithripala Sirisena, marking a major political setback. Despite the defeat, he stayed active in politics. When his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa won the presidency in 2019, Mahinda returned to power as Prime Minister. However, public dissatisfaction grew due to poor governance and mounting economic challenges. By 2022, the country faced a severe economic crisis that triggered massive public protests. As unrest intensified, Rajapaksa stepped down as Prime Minister in May 2022.

Legacy

Mahinda Rajapaksa leaves behind a mixed and controversial legacy. Supporters credit him with ending the civil war and modernizing infrastructure, while critics blame him for weakening democratic institutions, mismanaging the economy, and promoting family rule. Regardless of perspective, he remains a towering figure in modern Sri Lankan politics.