ISAS Briefs

Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has continued to remain in public spotlight despite losing the presidential polls in January 2015. In fact, he rose in popularity so much so that, eight months later, he won a record number of votes in the Local Government Elections and entered parliament from Kurunegala district in North Western Province. In October 2018, he made a leadership comeback when he accepted President Maithripala Sirisena’s offer to become the new Prime Minister. While the move thrilled his supporters, the political turmoil that erupted in Sri Lanka has questioned Rajapaksa’s intent and the need for him to accept the offer. Against this backdrop, this paper analyses Rajapaksa’s background, defeat in the 2015 elections and return to political prominence.