The new Speaker

Wijitha NAKKAWITA

The newly elected Speaker of the 14th Parliament, Chamal Rajapaksa is the older brother of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who carries forward the great traditions of the Rajapaksa family of Giruwapattuwa in the deep South.

He is the eldest son of the late D.A. Rajapaksa and nephew of the ‘Lion of Ruhuna’ D.M. Rajapaksa.

He was educated at Richmond College, Galle and entered public service as a police officer and later served the State Trading Corporation as the General Manager. He later contested the 1989 general election and was elected member from the Hambantota District retaining his seat since then at every election.

He had also served party as Agriculture and Lands Deputy Minister, Ports and Southern Development Deputy Minister, Plantation Industries Deputy Minister and Ports, Aviation and Shipping Minister.

Chamal Rajapaksa, if not the exact replica of D.A. Rajapaksa who was the scion of political families in the South, looks and behaves very much like his father as one of the most disciplined and self effacing politicians seen in present times.

Although he had received much accolades and honorary titles, Speaker Rajapaksa who values the traditions of his family is an exemplary politician, a leader whose head is always lowered to others in recognition.