Leadership archive · 2005–2015
Mahinda Rajapaksa
Executive President
President during the final phase of the civil war, which ended in May 2009 with the military defeat of the LTTE.
Biography
Mahinda Rajapaksa became president in November 2005 after a long political career that included service as a member of parliament and prime minister. His presidency was dominated by the renewed war and its eventual conclusion in 2009.
After the war, his government faced the challenges of resettlement, reconstruction, reconciliation and demands for accountability concerning alleged violations during the conflict.
Historical record
Presidency during the conflict
Large-scale fighting resumed in 2006. Government forces conducted campaigns in the Eastern Province and subsequently advanced into LTTE-held areas in the north.
The government announced the end of the war in May 2009. The final phase caused severe civilian suffering, and allegations of violations by different parties remain an important subject of international scrutiny and calls for accountability.
Further reading