Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Mahinda Rajapaksa Draws Attention With Frail Rally Appearance
Mahinda Rajapaksa went to a political rally in Anuradhapura on Saturday.
He is 80 years old and looked weak as he was helped to his seat.
He did not give a speech.
His son Namal was not at the rally because he is in remand custody.
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna wanted the event to show that it remains strong.
Rajapaksa used to give long speeches to very large crowds.
He was Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2015 and served as prime minister three times.
He is still an important figure for his party and its supporters.
Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa attended a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna rally in Anuradhapura on Saturday.
The 80-year-old was helped onto the stage by aides and supporters and did not address the crowd.
His eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, was absent because he is in remand custody.
The rally was intended to project strength for the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna despite the family's political setbacks.
Rajapaksa remains influential within the party after serving as president from 2005 to 2015 and prime minister three times.
- Who
- Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa attended the event; the rally was organized by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.
- What
- Rajapaksa made a low-key public appearance, was helped to his seat, and skipped his planned speech.
- When
- Saturday.
- Where
- Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna held the rally to project strength, while Rajapaksa's presence was promoted despite the absence of his son Namal.
- Event
- Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna rally
- Location
- Anuradhapura
- Age
- Mahinda Rajapaksa is 80
- Former presidency
- Served as Sri Lanka's president from 2005 to 2015
- Prime ministerial terms
- Served as prime minister in 2004–2005, 2018, and 2019–2022
- Absent family member
- Namal Rajapaksa was in remand custody
- Political legacy
- His presidency included the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009