Colombo: 74-year-old leader of Sri Lanka People's Party (SLPP) Mahinda Rajapaksa was sworn in as Prime Minister by his younger brother and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Holy Rajmaha Viharaya in Kelania. Mahinda Rajapaksa completed 50 years in parliamentary politics in July this year. He was elected MP in 1970 at the age of just 24. He has been elected President twice and appointed PM three times.
The Mahinda Rajapaksa-led SLPP won a two-thirds majority in the Parliament, winning a landslide victory in the August 5 Lok Sabha elections. Based on this majority, his party will now be able to amend the constitution which will further strengthen the powerful Rajapaksa family's hold on power. Mahinda received more than 5,000,00 personal preference votes. For the first time in electoral history, a candidate has received so many votes.
The SLPP won a total of 150 seats with its allies, winning in 145 constituencies, equivalent to a two-thirds majority in the 225-member House. Cabinet ministers, ministers of state and deputy ministers can be sworn in on Monday. The Rajapaksa family has dominated in Sri Lankan politics for over two decades. It also includes 69-year-old Basil Rajapaksa, the founder of SLPP and its national convenor. Gotbaiah, 71, is the younger brother of Rajapaksa and Manhida Rajapaksa.
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