Rajapaksa family Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! {{Short description|Political family in Sri Lanka}} {{Use Sri Lankan English|date=July 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} {{Infobox family | colour = | name = Rajapaksa family | birth_place = | region = [[Hambantota District|Hambantota]] | early_forms = | origin = Medamulana, [[Weeraketiya]] | members = {{Ublist|[[D. M. Rajapaksa]]|[[D. A. Rajapaksa]]|[[George Rajapaksa]]|[[Lakshman Rajapaksa]]|[[Chamal Rajapaksa]]|[[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]|[[Gotabhaya Rajapaksa]]|[[Basil Rajapaksa]]|[[Nirupama Rajapaksa]]|[[Shasheendra Rajapaksa]]|[[Namal Rajapaksa]]|[[Nipuna Ranawaka]]}} | otherfamilies = | distinctions = | traditions = | heirlooms = | estate = | meaning = | footnotes = }} The '''Rajapaksa family''' ({{lang-si|රාජපක්ෂ|translit=Rājapakṣa}}) is a Sri Lankan family that is prominent in politics. It was one of Sri Lanka's most powerful families during [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]'s presidency,<ref>{{cite news|last=Perera|first=Amantha|date=28 April 2010|title=The Long Reach of Sri Lanka's Rajapaksa Dynasty|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1984484,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100430233551/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1984484,00.html|archive-date=30 April 2010}}</ref> when many members of the family occupied senior positions in the Sri Lankan state.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Chu|first=Henry|date=25 August 2007|title=Ruling Sri Lanka is a family affair|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2007/aug/25/world/fg-brothers25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2012/sri-lanka|work=Freedom in the World 2012|publisher=[[Freedom House]]}}</ref> As their political power grew, there were reports suggesting that the country was heading towards [[autocracy]] under their rule.<ref>{{cite news|date=11 January 2015|title=Sri Lanka votes for Sirisena: What went wrong from Rajapaksa|publisher=The Economist Times|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/sri-lanka-votes-for-sirisena-what-went-wrong-from-rajapaksa/articleshow/45833503.cms|accessdate=11 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Sri Lanka needs a true human being, not a king – Maithripala|publisher=adaderana.lk|url=http://adaderana.lk/news.php?mode=beauti&nid=29378|accessdate=11 January 2015}}</ref> Following the unexpected defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa in the [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election|2015 presidential election]], they have been accused of authoritarianism, corruption, nepotism and bad governance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sirisena dethrones Rajapaksa in Sri Lanka|publisher=Khaleej Times|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/international/2015/January/international_January250.xml§ion=international|accessdate=10 January 2015}}</ref> In the [[2019 Sri Lankan presidential election|2019 presidential election]], [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]], the brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa, ran and won.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gotabaya Rajapaksa sworn in as Sri Lanka's new president|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/gotabaya-rajapaksa-sworn-sri-lanka-president-191118072535784.html|access-date=2019-12-17|website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref> The popularity of the Rajapaksa family collapsed after their actions caused the [[2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis|economic crisis]] that started in 2019, resulting in Sri Lanka defaulting on its debt for the first time in its post-independence history within just 30 months of coming to power.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Powerful Dynasty Bankrupted Sri Lanka in Just 30 Months |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-04-27/the-powerful-rajapaksa-dynasty-bankrupted-sri-lanka-in-just-30-months |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=Bloomberg.com |date=27 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> The extended Rajapaksa family is believed to have amassed a large amount of wealth and while the amount of and scale is unknown several members of the family have been revealed in international investigations such as the [[Pandora Papers]] to be using networks of shell companies and trusts to hide their wealth in offshore tax havens which has led to accusations of Rajapaksas turning Sri Lanka into a [[Kleptocracy]]<ref>{{cite web |title=As Sri Lanka’s ruling Rajapaksas flee, Pandora Papers reveal ties to UAE properties - ICIJ |url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/pandora-papers/as-sri-lankas-ruling-rajapaksas-flee-pandora-papers-reveal-ties-to-uae-properties/ |publisher=[[International Consortium of Investigative Journalists]] |access-date=19 August 2022 |date=13 July 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> ==History== The Rajapaksas are a rural land-owning family from the village Giruwapattuwa in the southern district of [[Hambantota District|Hambantota]]. The family owned paddy fields and coconut plantations.<ref name="SO0405082">{{cite web|last=Fernando|first=Reggie|title=DA- An exemplary figure in politics|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/05/04/fea10.asp|publisher=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)]]|accessdate=4 May 2008}}</ref> One of its members, Don David Rajapaksa, held the feudal post of [[Arachchi|Vidanarachchi]] in Ihala Valikada Korale.<ref name="SO0405082" /> The family entered the political scene when Don David Rajapaksa's son Don Mathew Rajapaksa was [[1936 Ceylonese State Council election|elected in 1936]] to represent Hambantota district in the [[State Council of Ceylon|State Council]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Wijesinghe|first=Sam|date=25 December 2005|title=People and State Power|work=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)]]|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2005/12/25/fea104.html|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605111144/http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2005/12/25/fea104.html|archivedate=5 June 2011}}</ref> Don Mathew died in 1945 and at the resulting by-election his brother [[D. A. Rajapaksa|Don Alwin Rajapaksa]] was elected without a contest.<ref name="ST0611112">{{cite news|last=Gunasekera|first=D. E. W.|date=6 November 2011|title=D.A. Rajapaksa- the pulse of Ruhuna|work=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/111106/News/nws_23.html|authorlink=D. E. W. Gunasekera}}</ref> At the [[1947 Ceylonese parliamentary election|1947 parliamentary election]], two members of the family were elected to represent both of the constituencies in Hambantota district. Don Alwin Rajapaksa was elected MP for Beliatta and Lakshman Rajapaksa (Don Mathew's son) was elected MP for [[Hambantota Electoral District (1947–1989)|Hambantota]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1947|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1947%20GENERAL%20ELECTION.PDF|url-status=dead|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115557/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1947%20GENERAL%20ELECTION.PDF|archivedate=2015-09-24}}</ref> The Rajapaksas continued to dominate politics in Hambantota district for next three decades with two other members of the family, [[George Rajapaksa]] and [[Mahinda Rajapaksa]], also entering parliament. The Rajapaksas were represented in the country's legislatures continuously from 1936 till 1977.<ref name="ST0611112" /> This streak ended after the UNP landslide at the [[1977 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|1977 parliamentary election]]. The family re-emerged as the dominant political force in Hambantota district when Mahinda and his brother [[Chamal Rajapaksa]] were [[1989 Sri Lankan parliamentary election|elected in the 1989 Parliamentary election]] to represent [[Hambantota Electoral District]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Result of Parliamentary General Election 1989|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1989%20GENERAL%20ELECTION.PDF|url-status=dead|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|archiveurl=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090304101343/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/pdf/Results_1989%20GENERAL%20ELECTION.PDF|archivedate=2009-03-04}}</ref> They were later joined by [[Nirupama Rajapaksa]], [[Basil Rajapaksa]] and [[Namal Rajapaksa]]. Although the Rajapaksas had dominated politics in [[Hambantota District]] since 1936, national politics had been dominated by other families such as the [[Senanayake family]] and [[Bandaranaike family]]. This changed in 2005 when Mahinda Rajapaksa was [[2005 Sri Lankan presidential election|elected]] [[President of Sri Lanka|president]]. Since then, members of the family have been appointed to senior political positions. Immediately after being elected president, Mahinda appointed his brother [[Gotabhaya Rajapaksa]] as Defence Secretary, the most senior civil service position in the [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref>{{cite news|date=4 December 2005|title=President and LTTE get set to talk while preparing for eventual war|work=[[The Sunday Leader]]|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/archive/20051204/politics.htm}}</ref> Another brother, Basil Rajapaksa, was appointed Senior Presidential Advisor. In 2010 Mahinda Rajapaksa was re-elected President contesting against a grand opposition coalition that included UNP, TNA, JVP. At the 2010 Parliamentary Elections, Chamal Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa were elected. Basil Rajapaksa received 425,100 preferential votes from the Gampaha District, the highest by any candidate at the 2010 General election while Namal Rajapaksa obtained 147,568 preferential votes from Hambantota District, the highest majority percentage-wise at the election.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 April 2012|title=Sri Lanka marches towards new era|work=[[The Sunday Observer]]|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/04/08/fea01.asp}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Results of Parliamentary General Election 2010 Gampaha District|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/parliamentary_elections/GAMPAHA.html|url-status=dead|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120805151430/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/parliamentary_elections/GAMPAHA.html|archivedate=2012-08-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Results of Parliamentary General Election 2010 Hambantota District|url=http://www.slelections.gov.lk/parliamentary_elections/HAMBANTOTA.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414131423/http://www.slelections.gov.lk/parliamentary_elections/HAMBANTOTA.html|archive-date=2010-04-14|publisher=Department of Elections, Sri Lanka}}</ref> Subsequently, Chamal was elected as the Speaker of Parliament unanimously and Basil was appointed as the Minister of Economic Development.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 April 2010|title=Chamal Rajapaksa elected Speaker|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chamal-rajapaksa-elected-speaker/article408097.ece}}</ref><ref>{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fQ6RZ78kG4|title=Mr. Basil Rajapaksa assumes duties as the Minister of Economic Development|date=30 April 2010}}</ref> Between them the three Rajapaksa brothers are in charge of five government ministries: [[Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Defence & Urban Development]], Law & Order, Economic Development, [[Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sri Lanka)|Finance & Planning]] and Ports & Highways. At one point the brothers reportedly directly controlled 70% of the national budget.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 November 2010|title=Profile: Mahinda Rajapaksa|work=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/focus/2010/01/20101281759855487.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Perera|first=Kusal|date=12 December 2010|title=It's One 'Oxford' Salad For Two Racist Calls|work=[[The Sunday Leader]]|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2010/12/12/it%E2%80%99s-one-%E2%80%98oxford%E2%80%99-salad-for-two-racist-calls/}}</ref> The Rajapaksas denied having control over such amounts.<ref>{{cite news|date=30 September 2007|title='Mr. 10%'? Prove it, says Basil|work=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)]]|url=http://sundaytimes.lk/070930/News/news00020.html}}</ref> According to the 2014 budget the brothers have been allocated 47% of the national budget (40% of recurrent budget and 57% of capital budget).<ref>{{cite web|title=Appropriation Bill 2014|url=http://www.documents.gov.lk/Bills/2013/Appropriation%20Bill/E.pdf|publisher=Government Press, Sri Lanka}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Indrajith|first=Saman|date=23 October 2013|title=Budget 2014|work=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)]]|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=90695}}</ref> Numerous other members of the extended family have also been appointed to senior positions state institutions.<ref>{{cite news|last=Chakma|first=Suhas|date=12 April 2012|title=It's all in the family for the Rajapakses|work=[[Tehelka]]|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main52.asp?filename=Fw120412All.asp}}</ref> The accumulation of so much power by one family has inevitably led to accusations of [[nepotism]].<ref>{{cite news|date=21 January 2010|title=Between a rock and a hard man|work=[[The Economist]]|url=http://www.economist.com/node/15330445}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=14 June 2012|title=Ex-Lankan army chief Fonseka vows to topple Rajapaksa govt|work=[[Associated Press]]/[[The Indian Express]]|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/exlankan-army-chief-fonseka-vows-to-topple-rajapaksa-govt/961975/0}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wax|first=Emily|date=17 November 2009|title=Sri Lanka's President Rajapaksa sought to silence astrologer Bandara|work=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/16/AR2009111603689.html}}</ref> The Rajapaksas deny the charges of nepotism even though evidence of large amounts of corruption, such as the censorship of journalists and the family's unwillingness to yield power to recent victorious Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka, exist everywhere the country.<ref>{{cite news|date=13 November 2013|title=Shadows over Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka|work=[[BBC]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24753921}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=27 May 2010|title='Trust' is the only process we now depend on after defeating 'terrorism'- President Rajapaksa|url=http://transcurrents.com/tc/2010/05/trust_is_the_only_process_we_d.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601072029/http://transcurrents.com/tc/2010/05/trust_is_the_only_process_we_d.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=1 June 2010|publisher=Trans Currents/[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> After the defeat of Mahinda Rajapaksa's [[2015 Sri Lankan presidential election|administration]] which resulted in the loss of their senior positions, some brothers of Mahinda Rajapaksa have fled from the country to avoid being arrested on charges of corruption and wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite news|date=11 January 2015|title=Basil, Dudley leave country|work=DailyMirror.lk|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/60933/basil-dudley-leave-country|accessdate=12 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=11 January 2015|title=Sri Lanka's former President's brother flees country - report|work=Colombo Page|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_15A/Jan11_1420949776CH.php|accessdate=12 January 2015}}</ref> === Political scandal === Following the 2015 presidential election defeat, the Rajapaksa family were accused of misusing public resources during the campaign, including use of the [[Sri Lankan Air Force]] in the campaign that cost $17,273.28 (Rs. 2,278,000.00) of public funds.<ref>{{cite news|author=Kannangara, Nirmala|date=18 January 2015|title=Flying High With Public Funds|work=[[The Sunder Leader]]|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2015/01/18/flying-high-with-public-funds/|accessdate=4 February 2015}}</ref> The Rajapaksa family received numerous [[Public resources|state resource abuse]] complaints from organisations and election monitors, including involvement in fraud, misuse of powers, and murder. Among the charges are money laundering said to have taken $5.31 billion (Rs. 700 billion) out of the country illegally through Sri Lanka's Central Bank using Mahinda Rajapaksa's close association with [[Ajith Nivard Cabraal]], the former governor of [[Central Bank of Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite news|author=ANEEZ, SHIHAR|date=22 January 2014|title=Sri Lanka to probe hidden foreign assets after Rajapaksa defeat|work=[[Reuters]]|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sri-lanka-politics-corruption-idUSKBN0KV20J20150122|accessdate=4 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=14 January 2015|title=Sri Lanka's former president Rajapaksa faces graft complaint|work=[[The Straits Times]]|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/south-asia/story/sri-lankas-former-president-rajapaksa-faces-graft-complaint-20150114|accessdate=4 February 2015}}</ref> On 23 January 2015, the [[Seychelles]] government announced that would assist the [[Sri Lanka|Sri Lankan]] government in search of funds that were transferred by the Rajapaksa regime into Port [[Victoria, Seychelles|Victoria]] [[offshore bank]] accounts.<ref name="Seychelles Investigation2">{{cite news|date=23 January 2015|title=Seychelles says ties with Sri Lanka go beyond politics, offers to assist investigations|work=Colombo Page|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_15A/Jan23_1422027029CH.php|accessdate=5 February 2015}}</ref> In February 2015, [[India]] pledged to help the [[Sirisena cabinet|Sirisena Government]] in tracing the billion of dollars that were taken out of the country illegally.<ref>{{cite news|date=3 February 2015|title=India to help SL to trace billions stashed abroad|work=DailyMirror.lk|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/62787/india-to-help-sl-to-trace-billions-stashed-abroad|accessdate=4 February 2015}}</ref> Sirisena's government sought help from the [[World Bank]] and the [[International Monetary Fund]] in locating this hidden wealth to expose the alleged corruption of the previous regime.<ref name="India to help Sri Lanka to trace billions stashed abroad by Rajapaksas2">{{cite news|date=4 February 2015|title=India to help Sri Lanka to trace billions stashed abroad by Rajapaksas|work=Sri Lanka Guardian|url=http://www.slguardian.org/?p=26385|accessdate=4 February 2015}}</ref> An Anti-Corruption Unit was formed by then Prime Minister [[Ranil Wickremesinghe]], and the new Cabinet has appointed a high-powered "rapid response team" to look into corrupt land transactions, stock market price-fixing and the abuse of state funds for political purposes by Rajapaksa family and the close association of Mahinda Rajapaksa.<ref name="India to help Sri Lanka to trace billions stashed abroad by Rajapaksas2" /> Public sentiment towards the ruling Rajapaksha-led government took a significant downturn during the foreign currency and economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka in 2022. [[2022 Sri Lankan protests|Demonstrations against their rule]] were held in major residential areas of Colombo including one held near the president [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]]'s private resident.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sri Lanka economic crisis: The all-powerful Rajapaksas under fire |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/1/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-the-all-powerful-rajapaksas-under-fire |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref> In the escalation of protests, an angry mob in Sri Lanka burned down several homes belonging to the Rajapaksa family. Previously, protesters were attacked by government supporters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61389189 | title=Sri Lanka: Protesters torch leaders' homes in night of unrest | publisher =BBC News |access-date=10 May 2022}}</ref> === 2019 presidential election and economic crisis === In 2018, [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]], brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa emerged as a possible candidate for the [[2019 Sri Lankan presidential election|2019 Presidential election]], which he successfully contested on a pro-nationalistic, economic development and national security platform, gaining a majority from the predominant [[Sinhalese people|Sinhalese]] areas of the island. He is the first person with military background to be elected as President of Sri Lanka and also the first person to be elected President who had not held an elected office prior.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sri Lanka gets its first president with military credentials|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/sri-lanka-president-military-credentials-191119175813787.html|access-date=18 December 2019|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> After [[2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election]], Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed as the Prime Minister while Chamal Rajapaksa and Namal Rajapaksa became [[Minister of Irrigation (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Irrigation]] and [[Minister of Youth and Sports (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Youth and Sports]] respectively in the [[Second Gotabaya Rajapaksa cabinet]]. Later in July 2021 [[Basil Rajapaksa]] was appointed as the [[Minister of Finance (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Finance]] after entering the parliament from the [[National list member of Parliament (Sri Lanka)|national list]]. When the country began to face the [[2019–present Sri Lankan economic crisis|economic downfall]], the public blame it on the Rajapaksa family's corruption and economic mismanagement.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thousands in Sri Lanka insist Rajapaksa family quit politics |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/10/thousands-in-sri-lanka-insist-rajapaksa-family-quit-politics |website=Al Jazeera |date=10 April 2022 |access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref> Following the [[2022 Sri Lankan protests|massive protests]] demanding the Rajapaksa family to resign, they resigned from their Ministerial portfolios.<ref>{{cite web |title=With Sri Lanka's crisis, Rajapaksa family falls: A look at key figures |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/with-sri-lanka-s-crisis-rajapaksa-clan-falls-a-look-at-key-figures-101657730199590.html |work=Hindustan Times News |date=13 July 2022 |access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref> Later in July 2022, President Gotabaya [[Exile of Gotabaya Rajapaksa|fled the country]] and stepped down.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sri Lanka crisis: How the mighty Rajapaksa family lost power, grace |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/sri-lanka-crisis-how-the-mighty-rajapaksa-family-lost-power-grace-101657754344553.html |work=Hindustan Times News |date=14 July 2022 |access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref> == Wealth == Wealth of the Rajapaksa family has been a subject of speculation with many members believed to have amassed a large amount of hidden wealth some of which have been revealed in international investigations and claims of wealth reaching over billions of dollars have been made. The Rajapaksa family owned the [[Carlton Sports Network]], the Carlton Pre-schools and the Carlton Motor Sports Club which have been accused of illegally using state resources<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-02 |title=Sri Lanka sports body, where Carlton Motor Sports voted, declared illegal |url=https://economynext.com/sri-lanka-sports-body-where-carlton-motor-sports-voted-declared-illegal-4281 |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=EconomyNext |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-03 |title=MP Anura Kumara makes observations on claims that Yoshitha's arrest was an act of political revenge |url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2016/02/03/mp-anura-kumara-makes-observations-on-claims-that-yoshithas-arrest-was-an-act-of-political-revenge/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Battling mega corruption - Opinion {{!}} Daily Mirror |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/battling-mega-corruption/172-85009 |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}</ref> Nama Rajapaksa is the owner of Gowers Corporate Services, HelloCorp, and NR Consultants which have been accused of being used for money laundering and getting lucrative contracts from the state-owned SriLankan Airlines during the Rajapaksa administration.<ref>{{cite news |title=Company within company in Namal’s HelloCorp {{!}} The Sunday Times Sri Lanka |url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/160821/news/company-within-company-in-namals-hellocorp-205589.html |access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Gowers Corp Money laundering case Further trial postponed for Feb 12 - Front Page {{!}} Daily Mirror |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/Front-Page/Gowers-Corp-Money-laundering-case-Further-trial-postponed-for-Feb-12/238-182861 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}</ref> Rohitha Rajapaksa who has never been employed and lacks any recorded sources of income was found to own a luxury hotel in the Sinharaja reserve called the "Green Eco Lodge". The hotel was initially believed to have been owned by Yoshitha Rajapaksa but an investigation confirmed that Rohitha was the owner. Environmental activists have accused the hotel of damaging the biodiversity by the construction of the hotel and have accused the Rajapaksa family of using the military in the construction of the hotel <ref>{{cite news |title=Probe reveals ‘Green Eco Lodge’ owned by MR’s son |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/print/front_page/Probe-reveals-Green-Eco-Lodge-owned-by-MRs-son/238-243713 |access-date=5 November 2022 |work=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}}</ref> Rohitha accepted that he owned the hotel and denied any wrongdoing during its construction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Weerasooriya |first1=Sahan |title=Rohitha denies any wrongdoing in hotel construction near Sinharaja |url=https://island.lk/rohitha-denies-any-wrongdoing-in-hotel-construction-near-sinharaja/ |access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref> ==Family tree== [[File:Mahinda Rajapaksa 2006.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Mahinda Rajapaksa]], President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015]] 1. '''Don David Rajapaksa''', [[Vidane Arachchi]] (colonial post) + '''Dona Gimara Moonesinghe''' ::1.1 '''Don Charles Coronelis Rajapaksa''' ::1.2 '''Dona Carolina (Carlina) Bandara Weeraman''' ::1.3. '''[[D. M. Rajapaksa|Don Mathew Rajapaksa]]''' (1896-1945), Member of [[State Council of Ceylon|State Council]] for Hambantota (1936-45), + Emalin (Emalyn) Weeratunga ::::1.3.1. '''[[Lakshman Rajapaksa]]'''(1924-1981), Member of Parliament for [[Hambantota Electoral District (1947–1989)|Hambantota]] (1947-52, 1956-60), Member of Parliament for Tissamaharama (1960-65), Member of Parliament for Mulkirigala (1976-77) ::::1.3.2. '''[[George Rajapaksa]]''' (died 1976), Minister of Health, Member of Parliament for Mulkirigala (1960-76) + '''Lalitha Samarasekara''' :::::1.3.2.1. '''[[Nirupama Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1962), Deputy Minister of Water Supply & Drainage (2010-), Member of Parliament for [[Hambantota Electoral District|Hambantota District]] (1994-2000, 2005-2015) + '''Thirukumaran Nadesan''' :::::1.3.2.2. '''[[Shyamlal Rajapaksa]]''' (1966-2009),<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=2019-11-22|title=Shyamlal Rajapaksa (11th July 1966 to 12th August 2009)|url=http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=33877|date=3 September 2011 |website=[[The Island (Sri Lanka)|The Island]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Wijesinha|first=Sam|title=An endearing personality|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/09/11/fea40.asp|newspaper=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)]]|date=11 September 2011}}</ref> Member of Southern Provincial Council (1999-2004)<ref>{{cite news|title=Shyamlal Rajapaksa's funeral tomorrow|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2009/08/16/new23.asp|newspaper=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)]]|date=16 August 2009}}</ref> + '''Prashanthi''' ::::1.3.3. '''Esther Gurly Rupasinghe''' ::::1.3.4. '''Pearl (Peri) Jayanthi Gunaratne''' ::::1.3.5. '''Kamala Wickramasuriya''' :::::1.3.5.1 '''Anoma Laphir''', Former Co-ordinating Secretary to the President<ref>{{cite news|last=Singh|first=R. Bhagwan|title=Love lost to Lankan war|url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tabloid/sunday-chronicle/heartitude/love-lost-lankan-war-817|newspaper=[[Sunday Chronicle (India)]]|date=29 January 2012}}</ref> :::::1.3.5.2 '''[[Jaliya Wickramasuriya]]''' (born 1960), Former Ambassador to the US :::::1.3.5.3 '''[[Prasanna Wickramasuriya]]''', Former Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Limited ::::1.3.6. '''Neil Kumaradasa Rajapaksa''' ::::1.3.7. '''Ruby Lalitha Rajapaksa''' + '''Nandasiri Rajapakse''' :::::1.3.7.1 '''Chithra''' :::::1.3.7.2 '''Kapila''' :::::1.3.7.3 '''Suyama''' :::::1.3.7.4 '''Maneesa''' ::1.4. '''[[D. A. Rajapaksa|Don Alwin Rajapaksa]]''' (1905-67), Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Government Minister, Member of Parliament for Beliatta (1947-60, 1960-65) + '''Dandina Samarasinghe Dissanayake'''* (see Related families below) :::1.4.1. '''Jayanthi Rajapaksa (born 1940)''' ::::1.4.1.1. '''Himal Laleendra Hettiarachchi''', CEO of Sky Networks<ref>{{cite news|last=Gunasekara|first=Tisaranee|title=From the Sun God to the High King?|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20090712/spotlight.htm|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=12 July 2009}}</ref> ::::1.4.1.2. '''Rangani Hettiarachchi''' :::1.4.2. '''[[Chamal Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1942), [[Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka|Speaker of Parliament]] (2010-15), Minister of Irrigation & Water Management (2007-2010), Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries (2004-07), Deputy Minister of Ports Development & Development of the South (2000-01), Member of Parliament for Hambantota District (1989-) + '''Chandra Malini Wijewardene''' ::::1.4.2.1. '''[[Shashindra Rajapaksa]]''', Chief Minister of Uva Province (2009-2015), Member of Uva Provincial Council for [[Monaragala Electoral District|Monaragala District]] (2009-), Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, Private Secretary to the President ::::1.4.2.2. '''Shamindra Rajapaksa''', Director [[SriLankan Airlines]] (2010-2014), Director of [[Sri Lanka Telecom]] (2010-2014)<ref>{{cite web|title=sri lanka telecom plc (SLTL:Colombo) - Shameendra Rajapaksa|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=104433074&ticker=SLTL:SL&previousCapId=9105176&previousTitle=SriLankan%20Airlines%20Ltd|publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> :::1.4.3. '''[[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1945), [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] (2005-2015), [[Minister of Defence (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Defence]] (2005-2015), [[Minister of Finance (Sri Lanka)|Minister of Finance & Planning]] (2005-2015), Minister of Highways (2010), Minister of Ports & Aviation (2010), Minister of Ports & Highways (2010-2015), Minister of Law & Order (2013-2015), [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka|Prime Minister]] (2004-05) (2018) (2019-22), [[Leader of the Opposition (Sri Lanka)|Leader of Opposition]] (2002-04) (2018-19), Chief Opposition Whip (2001-02), Minister of Ports (2000-01), Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development (1997-01), Minister of Labour & Vocational Training (1994-97), Member of Parliament for Hambantota District (1989-2005), Member of Parliament for Beliatta Electorate (1970-77) + '''[[Shiranthi Rajapaksa]]''' (née Wickremasinghe)** (see Related families below) ::::1.4.3.1. '''[[Namal Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1986), Minister of Youth and Sports (2020-22) Member of Parliament for Hambantota District (2010-), Chairman of Tharunyata Hetak, Owner of [[Carlton Sports Network]]<ref name=BBC150612>{{cite news|last=Pathirana|first=Saroj|title=Sri Lanka Cricket defends TV deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/18456920|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=15 June 2012}}</ref> ::::1.4.3.2. '''[[Yoshitha Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1988), [[Prime Minister of Sri Lanka|Prime Minister's Chief of Staff]], Owner of [[Carlton Sports Network]]<ref name=BBC150612/> ::::1.4.3.3. '''[[Rohitha Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1989) :::1.4.4. '''Chandra Tudor Rajapaksa''' (1947-2018), Private Secretary to the [[Minister of Finance of Sri Lanka|Minister of Finance]],<!--"Rajapakshe Family Tree, Lanka-e-News, 16 January 2009" general reference --> Private Secretary to the Minister of Ports & Highways<ref>{{cite news|title=Ministry Guide 2013|url=http://www.news.lk/images/docs/all%20ministry%20guide%202013.pdf}}</ref> ::::1.4.4.1. '''Chaminda Rajapaksa''', Presidential Adviser,<!--"Rajapakshe Family Tree, Lanka-e-News, 16 January 2009" general reference --> Co-ordinator for Hambantota <!-- Please refer to the government publication on Presidential Advisors. No advisor by this name --> :::1.4.5. [[Lieutenant Colonel]] '''[[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1949), [[President of Sri Lanka|President]] (2019-22), former Defence Secretary, Chairman of Lanka Hospitals, Chairman of Lanka Logistics ::::1.4.5.1. '''Manoj Rajapaksa''' :::1.4.6. '''[[Basil Rajapaksa]]''' (born 1951), Minister of Finance (2021-22) Minister of Economic Development (2010-15), Member of Parliament (2007-15), Senior Presidential Advisor (2005-), Chairman of Uthuru Wasanthaya (2009-13) + '''Pushpa Rajapaksa''' ::::1.4.6.1. '''Thejani Rajapaksa''' ::::1.4.6.2. '''Bimalka Rajapaksa''' ::::1.4.6.3. '''Ashantha Rajapaksa''' :::1.4.7. '''Dudley Rajapaksa (born 1957)''' ::::1.4.7.1. '''Mihiri Rajapaksa''' :::1.4.8. '''Preethi Rajapaksa (born 1959)''' + '''Lalith Priyalal Chandradasa''', Member of Securities & Exchange Commission, Chairman of [[Sri Lanka Ports Authority]], Member of Insurance Board, General Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association, Chairman of PJ Pharma Care (Ceylon) Ltd, Chairman of MED 1 (Pvt) Ltd, Chairman of Employees Holdings Limited, Chairman of National Aquaculture Development Authority, Chairman of Ceylon Fisheries Harbours Corporation<ref>{{cite web|title=dfcc bank (DFCC:Colombo) - Lalith Priyalal Chandradasa|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=142311468&privcapId=215510968|publisher=[[Bloomberg Businessweek]]}}{{dead link|date=April 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ::::1.4.8.1. '''Malaka Chandradasa''' ::::1.4.8.2. '''Madhawa Chandradasa''' ::::1.4.8.3. '''Madini Chandradasa''' ::::1.4.8.4. '''Malika Chandradasa''' :::1.4.9. '''Chandani (Gandani) Rajapaksa (1961-2017)''' + Thusitha Ranawaka ::::1.4.9.1. '''Eshana Ranawaka''' ::::1.4.9.2. '''[[Nipuna Ranawaka]]''' ::::1.4.9.3. '''Randula Ranawaka''' ==Related families== ===Dissanayake=== 2. '''Samarasinghe Dissanayake''' :2.1. '''Dandina Samarasinghe Dissanayake''' + '''[[D. A. Rajapaksa|Don Alwin Rajapaksa]]''' (1905-1967), Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Government Minister, Member of Parliament for Beliatta (1947-60, 1960-65) ::See Family tree above for descendants :2.2. '''Nanda Samarasinghe Dissanayake'''* (d.2012)<ref>{{cite news|title=Funeral of Mrs Nanda Weeratunga today|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2012/05/13/new12.asp|newspaper=[[Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)]]|date=13 May 2012}}</ref> + '''Wilbert Weeratunga''' ::2.2.1. '''[[Udayanga Weeratunga]]''', Ambassador to the Russian Federation<ref>{{cite news|last=Gunasekara|first=Tisaranee|title=Indifference And Intolerance In A Disabling-State|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/2012/06/03/indifference-and-intolerance-in-a-disabling-state/|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=3 June 2012}}</ref> ::2.2.2. '''Ramani Weeratunga''' ::2.2.3. '''Dayani Weeratunga''' ::2.2.4. '''Gayani Weeratunga''' :2.3. '''Samarasinghe Dissanayake''' + '''Kanthi Wakkumbura''' ===Wickremasinghe=== 3. [[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]] '''[[E. P. Wickremasinghe]]''' + '''Violet Wickramasinghe''' (died 2008)<ref>{{cite news|title=Obituaries|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/03/26/main_Obituaries.asp|newspaper=[[Daily News (Sri Lanka)]]|date=26 March 2008}}</ref> :3.1. '''Nishantha Wickramasinghe''', Chairman of [[SriLankan Airlines]],<ref>{{cite news|title=House of First Lady's brother looted|url=http://www.nation.lk/edition/breaking-news/item/7047-house-of-first-ladys-brother-looted.html|newspaper=[[The Nation (Sri Lanka)]]|date=10 June 2012}}</ref> Chairman of [[Mihin Lanka]] ::3.1.1. '''Dilshan Wickramasinghe''', CEO of Asset Networks (Pvt) Ltd/Asset Holdings (Pvt) Ltd<ref>{{cite news|last=Kannangara|first=Nirmala|title=More nepotism in IT contracts|url=http://www.thesundayleader.lk/20091011/banner-L.HTM|newspaper=[[The Sunday Leader]]|date=11 October 2009}}</ref> ::3.1.2. '''Shehan Wickramasinghe''' , SLAF Pilot. :3.2. '''[[Shiranthi Rajapaksa]] (b. 1947)''' (née Wickremasinghe)** + '''[[Mahinda Rajapaksa]]''' (b. 1945), President (2005-), Prime Minister (2004-05), Minister of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources Development (2000-01), Leader of Opposition (2002-04), Chief Opposition Whip (2001-02), Member of Parliament for Beliatta (1970-77), Member of Parliament for Hambantota District (1989-2005) :::See Family tree above for descendants :3.3. '''Srimal Wickramasinghe''', Deputy Chief of Mission and Minister at Embassy in Vienna<ref>{{cite news|title=Rajapaksas's roller coaster relations with the Foreign Ministry|url=http://www.lankanewsweb.com/LNWArchives/EN_Behind_the_scence/BTS_09_07_29_001.html|newspaper=Lanka News Web|date=29 July 2009}}</ref> ::3.3.1. '''Tishan Wickramasinghe''' ::3.3.2. '''Mishan Wickramasinghe''' ===Other relatives=== * [[Sathya Hettige]], [[Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka]] (2011-2014)<ref>{{cite web|title=Crisis in filling vacancies in the Supreme Court!|url=http://lankanewsweb.net/exclusive/7354-crisis-in-filling-vacancies-in-the-supreme-court|accessdate=8 August 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811005934/http://lankanewsweb.net/exclusive/7354-crisis-in-filling-vacancies-in-the-supreme-court|archivedate=11 August 2014}}</ref> * Janaka Wakkumbura, Member of Parliament for Kalawana, Ratnapura District ==See also== *[[List of political families in Sri Lanka]] ==Citations== {{reflist|30em}} ==References== * {{cite web|title=Family #3086 Rajapaksa|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lkawgw/gen3086.html|work=Sri Lankan Sinhalese Family Genealogy|publisher=rootsweb}} * {{cite news|last=Kurukularatne|first=Buddhika|title=Rajapaksas of Giruwapattuwa|url=http://www.island.lk/2004/11/07/features8.html|newspaper=[[Sunday Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=7 November 2004}} * {{cite news|last=Kurukularatne|first=Buddhika|title=D. M. Rajapaksa – The Lion of Ruhuna|url=http://www.island.lk/2004/11/14/features3.html|newspaper=[[Sunday Island (Sri Lanka)]]|date=14 November 2004}} * {{cite news|title=Rajapakshe Family Tree|url=http://www.lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=8952|newspaper=Lanka-e-News|date=16 January 2009}} * {{cite news|title=Infographics: Rajapaksa Family And Nepotism|url=https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/infographic-rajapaksa-family-and-nepotism/|newspaper=Colombo Telegraph|date=20 March 2013}} [[Category:Rajapaksa family| ]] Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Templates used on this page: Rajapaksa family (edit) Template:Cbignore (edit) Template:Cite news (edit) Template:Cite video (edit) Template:Cite web (edit) Template:DMCA (edit) Template:Dead link (edit) Template:Fix (edit) Template:Infobox family (edit) Template:Lang-si (edit) Template:Main other (edit) Template:Reflist (edit) Template:Reflist/styles.css (edit) Template:Short description (edit) Template:Use Sri Lankan English (edit) Template:Use dmy dates (edit) Module:Check for unknown parameters (edit) Module:Citation/CS1 (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (edit) Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (edit) Module:Unsubst (edit) Discuss this page