Chamal Rajapaksa

Background

His father, D. A. Rajapaksa, was a prominent politician, independence agitator, Member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture and Land in Wijeyananda Dahanayake"s government.

Education

Richmond College.

Career

Previously he served as Minister of Ports & Aviation and Irrigation & Water Management. He hails from a well known political family in Sri Lanka. He is the elder brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015.

Shashindra Rajapaksa (eldest son of Rajapaksa) is the former chief Minister of Uva Provincial Council and current Basnayaka Nilame (Lay Custodian) of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya.

Rajapaksa was born in Palatuwa in the Southern District of Matara and raised in Medamulana in the District of Hambantota. He hails from a well known political family in Sri Lanka.

Rajapaksa had his entire education at Richmond College, Galle. As a student he played Soccer for the School and was an Athlete.

Having left school he joined the

Entered the of Sri Lanka as a Police Officer serving in the Police Force for more than eight years.

Served the State Trading General Corporation as the Assistant General Manager before getting into active politics in 1985. Contested the by-election held in 1985 for Mulkirigala Electorate.

Prior to the present appointment as Speaker of the Parliament he has held the following portfolios.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Lands

Deputy Minister of Ports & Southern Development

Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries

Minister of Agricultural Development

Minister of Irrigation & Water Management

Minister of Ports & Aviation

"Sri Lanka Janaseva Vibhushana"

President, Sri Lanka – Russia Parliamentary Friendship Association

President, Sri Lanka – Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Association

Chairman, District Development Committee, Hambantota (District Secretariat)

Chairman, Hambantota Development Foundation.

Achievements

• "Sri Lanka Janaseva Vibhushana".

Politics

Entered Parliament in 1989 as a Member of Parliament of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party representing Hambantota District.

Membership

Nine members of the Rajapaksa family have been Members of Parliament of Sri Lanka. Has been a Member of Parliament continuously since 1989, retaining his seat in all elections held to date.