The Lineage of ‘Sataka’ clan that has been deep rooted in Southern Sri Lanka
Projecting an our man image
People are elated by the news that he has come to his ancestral home in Medamulana, a remote village close to the southern tip of the island for a brief respite from his busy schedule as the Executive President of the country. Next day, he strolls on village thoroughfares and boulevards of green paddy fields clad in a simple sarong and a village type top without his usual security detail. Intermittently, he meets villagers who has known from his childhood days. He calls them by their names and exchanged pleasantries. Village folks slowly gather around him but he seems to be completely comfortable in their company. One villager offers him a King Coconut to quench his thirst so he throws away the straw and drinks it from the nut straight. People are immensely proud of his man from their own village who ascended to the top seat of the nation. Then, he goes to ‘Carlton house’ in the heart of Tangalle, his private residence in his electorate and people throng to see him, sometimes bringing a score of grievances, appeals and even invitations for an array of weddings and various functions. He entertains everything just like a politician right bound to the earth. Meanwhile, that very morning, his erstwhile secretary runs into him with a cellular phone in his hand. On the phone, he extends his warm birthday wishes to an opposition member of the parliament while latter’s own leader is yet to do it or never does it. After all, he not only captivates but mesmerizes the hearts and minds of people simply because all these events are vividly reported in the media. He is none other than Mahendra Rajapakse, better known as Mahinda Rajapakse in common vernacular language, the Executive President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015 and now the Prime Minister under his own younger brother, Gotabaya Rajapakse. If this narration is ever published in an international publication, it would give an impression to the outside world of a great leader of people who had brought vistas of prosperity to a country which was in eternal turmoil. Nevertheless, Mahinda Rajapakse is believed to be a multi billionaire with an Asian rank as reported in the international media. This raises more questions than answers and the country on the other hand is on the brink of a total economic collapse.
Who are Rajapakses’ and what is their ancestry and ascension to stardom in politics?
In the post-independent era, Sri Lanka then Ceylon was dominated by two prominent families; Senanayakes and Bandaranaikes until 1977. In 1977, the political landscape of Sri Lanka changed dramatically with J.R Jayawardene capturing power with a 5/6 landslide victory. Yet, no ramified political family ever emerged as of Rajapakses’ in the political landscape of Sri Lanka in contemporary history. Today, Mahinda Rajapakse is the Prime Minister under his own younger brother Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Gotabaya Nandasena Rajapakse who is the incumbent Executive President of Sri Lanka. His other sibling Basil Rajapakse is the Minister of Finance. Mahinda Rajapakse’s son 36 year old Namal Rajapakse is also a powerful minister in the current cabinet holding multiple portfolios of Youth, Sports, Development Coordination & monitoring. In addition, he holds a state ministerial post of digital technology and enterprise development as well. Eldest brother of Mahinda Rajapakse, Chamal Rajapakse is another powerhouse in the present cabinet in the capacity of Minister of Irrigation, State Minister of Defense and Home Affairs. All in all, there are 5 cabinet ministers from the Rajapakse family alone at present. Besides, son of Chamal Rajapakse, Sasheendra Rajapakse is the State Minister of Paddy, Cereals, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chilies, Onions and Potatoes, Seed Production and High Tech Agriculture. From a national perspective, the Rajapakse family is managing a staggering 64 % of the national budget. All vital areas of the country’s economy are obviously under their direct purview. The family representation in the highest echelons does not end here. Newest entry is Nupuna Ranawaka who successfully contested 2020 general elections to enter the parliament. Although he is a nephew of Gotabaya, Mahinda and Basil Rajapakse don’t hold a ministerial position as of now but may in the future. Apart from parliamentary representation, Rajapakse’s kith and kin hold wide ranging public offices in the country. Starting from former Lieutenant Commander Yoshitha Rajapakse who chose mostly a decorative and questionable military career with the Sri Lanka Navy at the outset, holds the position of the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. This position is usually reserved for a senior officer in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service. There had been allegations that the previous Mahinda Rajapakse government (2005-2015) arbitrarily amended prerequisites for enrollment in Sri Lanka Navy to enlist his only ordinary level qualified son in the service. Besides, the Rajapakse family fraternity is a highly privileged lot. The family members were/ are bestowed with plum jobs in the state sector especially in the diplomatic corps. A close relative Jaliya Wickramasooriya who was the Ambassador to the United States of America is such an example.
Prasanna Wickramasooriya held the position of the Chairman, Airport Aviation & Services during the 2005-2015 regime. Even Rohitha Rajapakse who is not active in politics but leading a luxurious life with his wife Tatyana had his say in the statecraft too. His mother in law was made a director of Srilankan Airlines. So, the qualification is merely the connection to the all powerful Rajapakse family after all.
Most powerful family in neo politics
Rajapakse family emerged so powerful for the roles they played in ending 30 year fierce war with merciless LTTE, better known as Tamil Tigers in 2009. This victory notwithstanding the credit which is due, made a fortune for Rajapakse family in the ensued years. They amassed absolute people’s power as they always towed a communal hardline which attracted majority Sinhala-Buddhist people. Rajapaksa’s hail from rural background whose forefathers were landed proprietors owning paddy and coconut lands in Giruwapattu in the backyards of Hambantota district. Their grandfather Don David Rajapakse was a Vidanaarchchi in Ihala Welikada Korale which was a prominent position at village level in the bygone era. It was Don Mathew Rajapakse, son of Don David who first entered the political foray in 1936 to represent in the State Council. After his demise in 1945, Don Alwin Rajapakse (D.A Rajapakse), his younger brother entered the council uncontested. D.A Rajapakse was one of the members who staged the famous cross over from ruling UNP to form Sri Lanka Freedom Party in 1951 with late premier S.W.R.D Bandaranaike. Afterwards, a number of Rajapakse family members entered the august assembly and held powerful ministerial positions. George Rajapakse and Nirupama Rajapakse were two key names worth mentioning in this respect. Nirupama, a cousin of Rajapakse trio, was recently featured in the leaked Pandora Papers which showcased corrupt politicians of the world who amassed wealth through unethical and illegitimate means. Today, Rajapakses have become quite unpopular in the current context of the country. Many allegations have been levelled against them for authoritarianism, wide spread corruption, large scale nepotism, intimidations, dismal governance and even murder. They were accused for murders of journalists Lasantha Wickramatunge, Prageeth Ekneligoda, Ruggerite Thajudeen to name a few. Besides, they are being suspected for having a hand in the infamous Easter Sunday massacre in 2019 killing about 300 innocent people while in prayers. Further, people question what has happened to the wealth of war booty of LTTE, including piles of Gold and 70 odd ships that LTTE were said to have owned. Notably, Rajapakses are now in for the wrath of the world leaders as well for their bad record of human rights in Sri Lanka. But, still for all, Rajapakses remain unmoved and unabated. Some analysts point out that ‘Sataka’ clad Rajapakses have no alternative but to remain in power to escape the law. Whether this notion is true or not, the future will tell what fate would befall them if they had committed any wrong?
Source- Web/ blogs
