Walking in the foot steps of his legendary father, young Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the political mantle from Belliatta in 1970, after the demise of D.A Rajapaksa in the 1967. Mahinda Rajapaksa was the youngest Member of Parliament in the 1970 United Front Government of Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. On the day he entered Parliament, he was well received by the opposition led by Dudley Senanayaka and J.R Jayewardene, a UNP that comprised many stalwarts. The then opposition leader J.R Jayewardene at leisure meeting, then Minister of Justice, the late Felix Dias Bandaranaike in the corridors of  the old Parliament, while walking to lunch asked Felix- "Felix is that young fellow D.A Rajapakse's eldest son?", Felix Dias Bandaranaike who always addressed J.R Jayewardene as "Sir" replied - "No Sir, he is the second   son of D.A Rajapakse and he is only 24 in age". "To me, the young man looks to have a bright political future in the years to come", predicted the grand old J.R Jayewardena in an astrological style.

Mahinda Rajapaksa from the day he entered politics placed his trust and confidence in the philosophy of Adoff Huxley, who said - "All authority belongs to the people". This philosophical theory practiced by Mahinda Rajapaksea enabled him to cut many thorns in his rugged political journey of 40 long years.

The same J.R Jayewardene who predicted a bright future for young Mahinda Rajapaksa, had this young man in jail, when J.R Jayewardene became the first Executive President of Sri Lanka. That was the dark period in politics for the young Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa, popularly known as Mahinda Rajapaksa. As clouds became darker over the head of Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was spending time in jail, his beloved mother suddenly passed away. Mahinda Rajapaksa was brought to his mother's funeral to pay his last respects escorted by jail guards with both his hands been handcuffed. That was the saddest day in the life and times of Mahinda Rajapaksa who is the Executive President of Sri Lanka, as he celebrates his 64th Birthday and the fourth anniversary in the executive office  today.

A glance to the past of the life and times of Mahinda Rajapaksa certainly demonstrate that it was not a journey or a path spread with roses. Rajapakse from his birth is a courageous man with conviction. He is also a brave man to meet all odds. His rise to the top was not an overnight jump. There were many who stood in the way of Mahinda Rajapaksa. But as Adoff Huxley said, Mahinda Rajapaksa believed that the final authority was the people. As a man with dedication, devotion and commitment Mahinda Rajapaksa walked many a hundred mile with many a thousand people behind him. Mahinda Rajapaksa is a man who looks straight with eyes wide open. Hence, Rajapaksa saw both the friend and the foe very clearly and distinctly. That vision of this man helped him to overcome all obstacles placed in this long journey of forty years.

Four years ago in 2005, Mahinda Rajapaksa who began his political journey in 1970 reached the pinnacle in politics. Many  people in this country placed their trust in him to elect him as the Executive President Rajapaksa though tough looking, is a mild hearted man with enormous passion for humanity. He always believed to make the enemy his friend that was why he offered his hand of friendship to a brutal man like Velupillai Prabakaran many times.  But Prabhakaran taking advantage of the compassion and humanity of President Rajapaksa began to display brutality. Well, Prabakaran rubbed his shoulders on the wrong man. Rajapaksa as President had a responsibility by his nation and the people. The security of the people and the nation was his responsibility as Chief Executive. In terms of the constitution and the powers vested in him President Mahinda Rajapaksa moved in to battle and eradicated Prabhakaran and his brutal LTTE. The victory gained in just three years could be another record that could be written  in the Guinness Book of Records in the world ,as LTTE terrorism ran for a period of thirty long years, a three quarter period of Mahinda  Rajapaksa's political  journey.

In just under four years, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has proved that he is a leader with determination, dedication and devotion. His abilities amply   demonstrate that he is a man of courage, conviction and confidence.

This charismatic 'Birthday Boy' with a convincing mellifluous smile, is a leader with reason and judgement.  Today, Mahinda Rajapaksa embarks on his fifth year as the Executive President of Sri Lanka.

By: Sureshika Thilakarathna & Manohari Punchiwedikkarage