Band Of Brothers

The Rajapaksas are back at the helm and India has reasons to be worried

- LAKSHMI SUBRAMANIAN

AFTER THE EASTER Sunday bomb blasts in April this year, THE WEEK met Gotabaya Rajapaksa at his residence outside Colombo. Rattled by the attacks which claimed 253 lives, he spoke extensively about the security situation in the island nation and of his plans to restore peace. Six months later, Gotabaya, who represents the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, has got a chance to put his words into action.

Gota, as he is popularly known, was sworn in as the seventh president of Sri Lanka on November 18. He won the elections securing 52 per cent of the votes, while his main opponent, Sajith Premadasa of the United National Party, finished with 42 per cent.

Gotabaya, 70, has named his elder brother and former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the new prime minister after Ranil Wickremesinghe announced his resignation. With Wickremesinghe stepping down, sources said the UNP might split or might have a new leader in Premadasa. There are also reports that former president Maithripala Sirisena was planning to return to the Rajapaksa camp.

Gotabaya, who was defence secretary under Mahinda, cruised to victory by focusing on two key issues—security and economy. His trump card was security as Sri Lankans continue to be haunted by the April attacks. Gotabaya ran an aggressive campaign reminding the people about the intelligence failure that led to the attacks. On the economy front, he promised to deliver on the reform agenda.