Srilanka, Nov. 8 -- Mahendra Percy Rajapaksa, known to his country and the world at large as Mahinda Rajapaksa, will celebrate his 80th birth anniversary on November 18, 2025. In a political career spanning more than five decades, Mahinda Rajapaksa has served as Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Prime Minister and Executive President.

"Medamulana Mahinda", as he is referred to at times, is a colourful politician who has been demonised by his opponents and deified by his supporters. Whatever his detractors may say, there is no denying that Mahinda Rajapaksa will go down in history as the man who ended the war against the LTTE. This two-part article focuses, with the aid of earlier writings, on Mahinda Rajap...