Maithripala Sirisena

Maithripala Sirisena
Name	Maithripala Sirisena
Office	7th President of Sri Lanka
Term start	9 January 2015
Term end	18 November 2019
Predecessor	Mahinda Rajapaksa
Successor	Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Birth date	3 September 1951
Birth place	Polonnaruwa District, Ceylon
Party	Sri Lanka Freedom Party (formerly), United National Party (coalition partners)
Spouse	Jayanthi Sirisena

Maithripala Sirisena is a Sri Lankan politician who served as the seventh President of Sri Lanka from 2015 to 2019. He emerged from provincial politics in North Central Province to national prominence as a minister in cabinets led by Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, later leading a coalition that defeated Rajapaksa in 2015. His presidency saw engagements with regional powers such as India and China, interactions with multilateral institutions like the United Nations and the International Monetary Fund, and domestic measures touching on constitutional reform and anti-corruption initiatives amidst controversies.

Early life and education

Born in Polonnaruwa District in Ceylon in 1951, he attended local schools in Polonnaruwa and pursued agricultural studies linked to institutions in Sri Lanka. He began his public life through community organizations in North Central Province and entered provincial politics influenced by figures from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and political movements associated with leaders such as S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike and Sirimavo Bandaranaike. His early affiliations connected him with provincial councils and national MPs who later served in cabinets under presidents including J.R. Jayewardene and Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Political career

He entered national politics as a Member of Parliament for Polonnaruwa District, aligning with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party faction that worked alongside coalition partners such as the United National Party at various times. He held ministerial portfolios including roles in agriculture and narcotics-related affairs under administrations led by Chandrika Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa. He became General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and was a prominent figure in intra-party contests involving politicians like Sirisena Bandaranaike, Maithri Wickremasinghe and factions competing with Mahinda Rajapaksa loyalists. His 2014 defection from cabinet positions to challenge the incumbent led to alliances with opposition leaders including Ranil Wickremesinghe and coalition groups such as the United National Front for Good Governance.

Presidency (2015–2019)

Assuming the presidency after defeating Mahinda Rajapaksa in the January 2015 election, he was inaugurated at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Colombo and formed a national government involving figures from the United National Party and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Early presidential acts included dismissing and replacing ministers associated with the previous administration and appointing a new cabinet containing politicians like Ranil Wickremesinghe, Mangala Samaraweera, Rauff Hakeem and Sajith Premadasa. He initiated constitutional reform talks involving committees with representation from MPs across parties including T.B. Ilangaratne-era politicians and newer MPs. His term intersected with events such as the 2015 International Monetary Fund discussions, the 2016 visits by leaders from China and India, and security crises culminating in the 2019 Easter bombings.

Domestic policies and governance

His administration prioritized anti-corruption pledges and proposed measures linked to commissions and oversight mechanisms, engaging institutions like the Attorney General of Sri Lanka and tribunals recalling precedents from the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Fiscal decisions involved negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and budgetary adjustments that affected ministries such as Ministry of Finance (Sri Lanka) and Ministry of Agriculture. He pursued agricultural and land-use initiatives with ties to provinces including North Central Province and infrastructure projects championed by cabinet members like Basil Rajapaksa before his 2015 defeat. Debates over constitutional amendments referenced proposals similar to earlier reforms under 17th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka and 19th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, involving actors from the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Foreign policy and international relations

His foreign policy sought balance between regional powers, engaging with India through high-level visits and security cooperation, while also negotiating portfolio-level agreements with China over infrastructure projects such as port and highway developments associated with entities like China Harbour Engineering Company and China Communications Construction Company. He engaged multilaterally at forums like the United Nations General Assembly and signaled participation in SAARC dialogues with leaders from Maldives, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Relations with Western states involved dialogues with representatives from United States institutions and visits tied to trade and development discussions with the European Union. He also navigated maritime security issues in the Indian Ocean region with partners including Japan and Australia.

Controversies and allegations

His tenure saw controversies involving appointments and alleged interference with independent commissions, drawing scrutiny from domestic civil society groups and international NGOs such as Transparency International and rights organizations referencing reports by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Accusations included claims of influence over prosecutorial decisions involving former ministers from the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration and disputes over procurement linked to infrastructure projects contracted to firms from China and India. Post-presidential inquiries and parliamentary committee hearings involved politicians like Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and opposition figures such as Sajith Premadasa and raised issues previously examined during commissions like the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and reports by the International Crisis Group.

Personal life and legacy

He is married to Jayanthi Sirisena and has three children; his family ties connect to communities in Polonnaruwa District and social networks spanning provincial politics associated with figures like M. H. M. Ashraff and local leaders from Anuradhapura District. His legacy includes the 2015 transition of power that ended an extended presidency by Mahinda Rajapaksa, reform attempts influencing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and a mixed record on reconciliation and accountability cited by analysts from institutions such as the International Crisis Group and scholars writing in journals connected to Colombo University and University of Peradeniya. His presidency remains a subject of study in analyses comparing leadership during post-conflict reconstruction alongside predecessors like Chandrika Kumaratunga and successors like Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Category:Presidents of Sri Lanka Category:1951 births Category:Living people