President Mahinda Rajapaksa completes 44 years in politics. He entered Parliament for the first time in the General Election held on May 27th 1970. 27th May 1970 was day that marking a watershed in Sri Lanka’s history. It was on this day that the Coalition Government led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party which paved for the reaching of many people’s friendly decisions, assumed office, following the General Election. Among those who were privileged to enter Parliament at this election was the 24-year-old youngest candidate, a son of Ruhuna. The dynamic Mahinda Rajapaksa not only won the Beliatta electorate but also set a new record by becoming the youngest parliamentarian at the age of 24. He won the Beliatta electorate with a convincing majority of 7000 votes. No one would have ever thought that the young Mahinda Rajapaksa who was groomed under D.M. Rajapaksa who was known as the Lion of the Ruhuna and D.A. Rajapaksa a pioneer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, would one day unite the country, when he seconded the Throne Speech of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Since this people’s leader served as a Minister, an Opposition Leader and also as Prime Minister. He reached the apex of his political career after he won the Presidential election held in 2005 and became the country’s Sixth Executive President. He was also elected the Seventh Executive President in the Presidential election held on January 27th 2010. If not for his unwavering and bold leadership the country would have still been experiencing the fear psychosis period plagued with terrorism. The masses continue to repose implicit faith in the leader who has always been close to them and feels the pulse of the common man. The President has always gone that extra mile to reach out to the poorest of the poor and find solutions to their pressing needs. This has been the President’s hallmark for the past 44 years; from the day he entered Parliament as the youngest member of the House. In this scenario, President Rajapaksa would undoubtedly fare even better when he seeks a fresh mandate from the masses.
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