# Gotabaya Rajapaksa > President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022 **Wikidata**: [Q1538702](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1538702) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotabaya_Rajapaksa) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gotabaya-rajapaksa ## Summary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is a Sri Lankan politician and military officer who served as the President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022. He is the alias of Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa and is known for his role in ending the Sri Lankan civil war during his military career before entering politics. His presidency was marked by economic crisis and political turmoil in Sri Lanka. ## Biography - **Born**: Date not specified in source material - **Nationality**: Sri Lanka - **Education**: Attended Ananda College, a boys' school in Colombo, Sri Lanka (inception: 1886) - **Known for**: Serving as President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022; military service during the Sri Lankan civil war (1983-2009) - **Employer(s)**: Government of Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Armed Forces during military career; Office of the President during political career) - **Field(s)**: Military and Politics ## Contributions Based on the source material, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's contributions include: - **Military Service**: Beginning his work period in 1971, he served as a military officer in the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. His military career spanned the duration of the Sri Lankan civil war (1983-2009), during which he held positions of authority as a military officer. - **Political Leadership**: Served as President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022, holding the highest political position in the country. - **End of Civil War**: His military career is associated with the Sri Lankan civil war, the armed conflict between the government and the separatist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. ## FAQs **What is Gotabaya Rajapaksa best known for?** Gotabaya Rajapaksa is best known for serving as the President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022 and for his military service during the Sri Lankan civil war. **Where did Gotabaya Rajapaksa receive his education?** Gotabaya Rajapaksa attended Ananda College in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a prestigious boys' school established in 1886. **What awards has Gotabaya Rajapaksa received?** According to the source material, Gotabaya Rajapaksa has received several military decorations including the Rana Sura Padakkama (1981), Desha Putra Sammanaya, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal (1979), and President's Inauguration Medal (1978). **What was Gotabaya Rajapaksa's profession before becoming President?** Before becoming President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa served as a military officer in the Sri Lanka Armed Forces, beginning his career in 1971. **What is Gotabaya Rajapaksa's connection to the Sri Lankan civil war?** Gotabaya Rajapaksa's military career coincided with the Sri Lankan civil war (1983-2009), the armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the separatist organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. ## Why They Matter Gotabaya Rajapaksa matters in the context of Sri Lankan history for several reasons based on the source material. As President from 2019 to 2022, he led Sri Lanka during one of its most challenging periods, including the economic crisis that culminated in 2022. His background as a military officer who served during the Sri Lankan civil war positioned him as a leader who had direct experience with the country's most significant armed conflict in recent history. The end of the civil war in 2009, which occurred during his military service, was a pivotal moment in Sri Lankan history that shaped the nation's political landscape. His presidency represented a continuation of the Rajapaksa family's influence in Sri Lankan politics, with his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa also having served as President. ## Notable For - President of Sri Lanka from 2019 to 2022 - Alias: Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa - Military officer with service beginning in 1971 - Recipient of Rana Sura Padakkama military decoration (1981) - Recipient of Desha Putra Sammanaya military decoration - Recipient of Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal (1979) - Recipient of President's Inauguration Medal (1978) - Alumnus of Ananda College, Colombo - Served during the Sri Lankan civil war (1983-2009) ## Body ### Early Life and Education Gotabaya Rajapaksa, whose full name is Nandasena Gotabaya Rajapaksa, received his early education at Ananda College in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Ananda College is a prestigious boys' school that was established in 1886 and has produced many notable Sri Lankan figures in politics, civil service, and other fields. The specific date of his birth is not provided in the source material. ### Military Career Gotabaya Rajapaksa began his military career in 1971, joining the Sri Lanka Armed Forces as a military officer. As a military officer, he held a position of authority within the armed forces, which is defined as "a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority." His military service spanned several decades and included the period of the Sri Lankan civil war. The Sri Lankan civil war was an armed conflict that took place from 1983 to 2009 between the government of Sri Lanka and the separatist organization known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This conflict was one of the most significant events in Sri Lanka's modern history, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa's military career was closely associated with this period. During his military service, Gotabaya Rajapaksa received several military decorations recognizing his service and contributions. These include the Rana Sura Padakkama, which was instituted in 1981 and is a military decoration of Sri Lanka. He also received the Desha Putra Sammanaya, another military decoration in Sri Lanka. Additionally, he was awarded the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal (inception: 1979) and the President's Inauguration Medal (inception: 1978), which is a commemoration medal awarded in Sri Lanka. ### Political Career and Presidency Following his military career, Gotabaya Rajapaksa transitioned into politics, becoming a politician who "holds or seeks positions in government." He eventually rose to become the President of Sri Lanka, serving from 2019 to 2022. His presidency followed his brother's tenure as President, continuing the Rajapaksa family's prominent role in Sri Lankan politics. As President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa held the highest political office in Sri Lanka, an island country in South Asia. Sri Lanka has a complex history including periods under the Portuguese Empire (1518-1658), Dutch Empire (1658-1815), and British Empire (1815-1948) before gaining independence in 1948 and becoming a republic in 1972. ### International Relations During his presidency, Gotabaya Rajapaksa's tenure coincided with significant international circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic and its global impacts. The source material notes Sri Lanka's relationship with the United States, a country located primarily in North America that declared independence in 1776. The nature of Sri Lanka's international relationships during his presidency, particularly with countries like the United States, would have been an important aspect of his role as President. ### Legacy and Significance Gotabaya Rajapaksa's significance in Sri Lankan history stems from multiple factors. His military service during the civil war period positioned him as a leader with direct experience in addressing the country's most pressing security challenges. His transition from military officer to politician to President represents a notable career trajectory in Sri Lankan politics. The source material indicates that he is recognized as a human, specifically "any single member of Homo sapiens, unique extant species of the genus Homo," and as a civil servant, "person employed by a government department or agency," in addition to his roles as military officer and politician. This reflects his various capacities of service to the Sri Lankan government and its people. His awards and decorations, particularly the military honors, serve as recognition of his service to Sri Lanka. The Rana Sura Padakkama, Desha Putra Sammanaya, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, and President's Inauguration Medal all represent his contributions across different periods of his career. The end of his presidential term in 2022 marked a turbulent period in Sri Lankan history, with the country experiencing a severe economic crisis that led to significant political changes. The events during and after his presidency continue to shape Sri Lanka's political landscape and international relationships. ## References 1. [Source](https://gota.lk/profile/) 2. [List of Cabinet Ministers](http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.lk/cab/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=25&Itemid=23&lang=en) 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. GeneaStar 5. BBC Things 6. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line 7. [Gotabaya Rajapaksa latest news & coverage - CNA](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/topic/gotabaya-rajapaksa)