Chamal Rajapaksa

Chamal Jayantha Rajapaksa (Sinhala: චමල් රාජපක්ෂ; Tamil: சமல் ராஜபக்ஷ; born 30 October 1942) is a Sri Lankan politician[1] who was Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka from 2010 to 2015.[2] Previously he served as Minister of Ports & Aviation and Irrigation & Water Management. He hails from a well known political family in Sri Lanka. 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. He is the elder brother of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was President of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015. Nine members of the Rajapaksa family have been members of parliament in Sri Lanka.[3]

Hon.

Chamal Rajapaksa

MP
චමල් රාජපක්ෂ
சமல் ராஜபக்ஷ
Rajapaksa in March 2015
Minister of Irrigation
Assumed office
12 August 2020
PresidentGotabaya Rajapaksa
Prime MinisterMahinda Rajapaksa
Preceded byDullas Alahapperuma
19th Speaker of the Parliament
In office
22 April 2010 – 26 June 2015
Preceded byW. J. M. Lokubandara
Succeeded byKaru Jayasuriya
Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament
for Hambantota District
Assumed office
1989
Personal details
Born (1942-10-30) 30 October 1942
Palatuwa, British Ceylon
NationalitySri Lankan
Political partySri Lanka Freedom Party
Spouse(s)Chandra Malini Rajapaksa
(nee Wijewardene)
ChildrenShasheendra, Shameendra
Alma materRichmond College, Galle
ProfessionPolice officer

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

Early life and career

Rajapaksa was born in Palatuwa in the Southern District of Matara and raised in Medamulana in the District of Hambantota.[4] 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 Public Service.

Public Service

Entered the Public Service of Sri Lanka as a Police Officer serving in the Police Force for more than eight years. He served the State Trading General Corporation as the Asst. General Manager before getting into active politics in 1985.

Political career

Contested the by-election held in 1985 for Mulkirigala Electorate.

Entered Parliament in 1989 as a member of parliament of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party representing Hambantota District. Has been a member of parliament continuously since 1989, retaining his seat in all elections held to date.

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

Honorary titles
  • "Sri Lanka Janaseva Vibhushana"

Other positions held
  • 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

See also

References
  1. "Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, M.P." Parliament of Sri Lanka. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  2. Chamal shines in politics Archived 6 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Sunday Observer, Retrieved on 1 August 2010.
  3. Speaker of the Seventh Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Parliament website, Retrieved on 25 November 2013.
  4. President's Fund of Sri Lanka, President's Profile Archived 4 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine
Political offices
Preceded by
W. J. M. Lokubandara		 Speaker of the Parliament
2010–2015		 Succeeded by
Karu Jayasuriya
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