The 8th president of Sri Lanka is a former military officer who led a crackdown on the Tamil Tigers, ending a decades-long civil war, and later became a populist leader. He's known for his strong nationalist stance and controversial human rights record.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa, a former Sri Lankan politician and military officer, is remembered for his pivotal role as the eighth President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022, and as the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development from 2005 to 2015. During his tenure, he played a crucial part in ending the Sri Lankan Civil War, defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and killing its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, in 2009.
Born on June 20, 1949, in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa came from a political family. He was educated at Ananda College, Colombo, and later joined the Ceylon Army in April 1971, where he underwent basic training at the Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa.
Rajapaksa was commissioned as a signals officer and later transferred to several infantry regiments, seeing active service in the early stages of the Sri Lankan Civil War. He took part in several major offensives, including the Vadamarachi Operation, Operation Strike Hard, and Operation Thrividha Balaya, as well as counterinsurgency operations during the 1987-1989 JVP insurrection.
After taking early retirement from the army, Rajapaksa moved into the field of information technology before immigrating to the United States in 1998. He returned to Sri Lanka in 2005 to assist his brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his presidential campaign and was subsequently appointed Defence Secretary in his brother's administration.
During his tenure as Defence Secretary, Rajapaksa played a crucial role in ending the Sri Lankan Civil War. He was instrumental in planning and executing the final stages of the war, which resulted in the defeat of the LTTE and the killing of its leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, in 2009.
Rajapaksa also initiated several urban development projects, including the beautification of Colombo and the development of infrastructure in the war-torn northern and eastern regions of Sri Lanka.
Rajapaksa emerged as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate for the 2019 presidential election, which he won with a comfortable majority. During his presidency, he focused on strengthening national security, promoting economic development, and improving relations with foreign countries.
However, his presidency was marred by controversy, including allegations of human rights abuses, nepotism, and corruption. He resigned as President in July 2022, amidst widespread protests and economic crisis.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While he is credited with ending the Sri Lankan Civil War, his presidency was marked by controversy and allegations of human rights abuses. His impact on modern Sri Lankan society is still being debated, with some hailing him as a national hero and others condemning him as a authoritarian leader.
Rajapaksa has been married to Ioma Rajapaksa since 1980, and they have one son, Manoj Rajapaksa. He has been a target of controversy, including allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and human rights abuses.
In December 2006, he survived an assassination attempt by a Tamil Tiger suicide bomber.
Rajapaksa is known for his nationalist and authoritarian beliefs, which have shaped his approach to governance and politics. He has been criticized for his intolerant views on minority rights and his approach to human rights.
Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, Gotabaya Rajapaksa remains a significant figure in Sri Lankan politics, known for his strategic leadership and his role in shaping the country's turbulent history.
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