Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 38-year-old son Namal Rajapaksa is set to contest the September 21 presidential election in the country. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party announced Namal’s candidature on August 6, projecting the eldest son of the influential Rajapaksa family as a leading contender.
The election will be Sri Lanka’s first since the 2022 uprising that ousted Namal’s uncle, then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, from power. Mahinda Rajapaksa, who served as the President from 2005 to 2015, was the Prime Minister during Gotabaya’s Presidency.
Namal will be up against incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sajith Premadasa of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
In a country that is still reeling from the brunt of economic crisis and political turmoil, Namal’s candidacy has sparked both optimism and skepticism. While some Sri Lankans see him as a new face capable of taking the country forward, others are wary recalling controversies associated with his family’s previous rule.
A Polarising Political Legacy
Namal Rajapaksa’s political career began in 2010 when he was elected to Sri Lanka’s parliament from Hambantota, a district his father represented before he came to the presidency. Despite her strong Sinhala Buddhist roots, Namal has distanced herself from cultural extremism while advocating cultural identity preservation.
“Protecting your beliefs and culture is not extremism,” Namal said in an interview in 2018. It is very important to take this to our next generation.”
As the national organiser of the SLPP, Namal has worked to expand his influence beyond the party’s traditional southern base, making significant efforts to engage with the Tamil-dominated northern region.
His efforts for reconciliation and the rise of young Tamil leaders stand in stark contrast to his family’s controversial legacy. While his father Mahinda is credited with ending Sri Lanka’s 25-year civil war, the Rajapaksa administration has also faced criticism over human rights abuses and economic mismanagement.
Namal himself has not been immune to controversies, has been accused of nepotism and has benefited from his family’s political connections.
Following In Father’s Footsteps
Namal has expressed confidence in their connections at the grassroots level, which brought her father to political prominence. “Survival and presence in politics depends on how you behave yourself, how you work, how you spend time with the people of your constituency.”
Although his political career has been shaped by his family’s legacy, Namal has emphasized the importance of personal merit and public service, suggesting that modern politics in Asia, even with dynasties, ultimately depends on personal achievement.
Earlier this year, Mahinda Rajapaksa had been cautious about Namal’s presidential ambitions, indicating that his son needed more time to adjust to the role. However, the decision to field Namal in this election shows a deliberate risk and confidence in his ability to SLPP.
Challenging Road Ahead
The upcoming presidential elections will be held amid significant challenges for Sri Lanka. The government has been accused of delaying the election, citing financial constraints and legal disputes.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s rise to power in 2020, inspired by nationalist fervour, was soon marred by the worst economic crisis in Sri Lanka’s history, leading to widespread shortages and public unrest. While the bailout from the International Monetary Fund has provided temporary relief, the country’s economic troubles have persisted for a long time.
As the youngest candidate in this race, Namal represents a new generation of Sri Lankan politicians. However, whether he will be able to overcome his family’s controversial legacy and attract wider voters is uncertain.
His opponents—Wickremesinghe, Premadasa and Dissanayake—each present different visions for Sri Lanka’s future, and no clear leading has yet emerged among the deeply divided electorate.
Namal’s Global Relations and Vision
Namal Rajapaksa is reportedly friendly with other young political leaders in the region, including Rahul Gandhi, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sajid Wajad. However, for ordinary Sri Lankans, their most famous friendship abroad may be with Bollywood star Salman Khan.
Geopolitically, Namal has expressed an interest in maintaining Sri Lanka’s neutrality while promoting relations with Russia, West Asia, India and China. He regards India as “always like family despite misunderstandings or miscommunication” and emphasises Sri Lanka’s historical ties with China rooted in religion, culture, and commerce.
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