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Person

Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Listed from published reports. Appearing here is not a finding of wrongdoing.

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Details

Role

President of Sri Lanka, elected November 2019; Defence Secretary until 2015

Position

Denies the allegations in the Channel 4 programme

Status

Barred from leaving Sri Lanka by court order, as reported in June 2026, and not named as a suspect in that report; his petition to bar arrest in the Easter investigation was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, as reported on 1 October 2026; he appealed to the Supreme Court, as reported on 9 October 2026

Left office

Resigned in July 2022 after mass protests

Appears on

Easter attacks
The Rajapaksa family
Presidents since 2019
Politicians and investigators
Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara
The LTTE war, 1983 to 2009
The 2022 economic crisis
Disappearances and wartime killings
War accountability at the UN

Last checked

12 Oct 2026 (what this means)

Connections (44)

• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Appointed / Presidential Task Force for One Country, One Law
  • President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed the 13-member task force to study the concept and prepare a draft Act.27 Oct 2021 · News 1st · Gnanasara Thero to lead new Task Force on One Country, One Law
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Announced presidential run days after / Easter Sunday attacks, 21 April 2019
  • Reuters interview: he said he would run for president and that the attacks could have been prevented had the government not dismantled the intelligence network he built.27 Apr 2019 · Daily FT · Gotabaya says he will run for president, tackle radical Islam
  • Reports that he declared his candidacy two days after the bombings and won the November 2019 election in a landslide.25 Feb 2026 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka's former intelligence chief arrested over 2019 Easter attacks
• Suresh Sallay / Became intelligence chief under / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • AFP: Brigadier Suresh Sallay was named head of the State Intelligence Service three weeks after Rajapaksa was elected, the first military officer in the post.10 Dec 2019 · Daily FT · Govt. shakes up intelligence agency after Easter Sunday attacks
  • Rajapaksa said the two had no contact between 2015, when he left as Defence Secretary, and his election in 2019.7 Sep 2023 · Ada Derana · 'An anti-Rajapaksa tirade': Gotabaya slams Channel 4 exposé on Easter attacks
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Rejected allegations in / Channel 4 Dispatches: Sri Lanka's Easter Bombings
  • He called the programme “mostly an anti-Rajapaksa tirade” and said it was absurd to claim extremists carried out suicide attacks to make him president.7 Sep 2023 · Ada Derana · 'An anti-Rajapaksa tirade': Gotabaya slams Channel 4 exposé on Easter attacks
• Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter attacks / Handed final report to / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • The final report was handed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 1 February 2021.1 Feb 2021 · Ada Derana · Presidential commission on Easter attacks hands over final report to President
• Criminal Investigation Department / Obtained court order barring travel by, 2026 / Gotabaya RajapaksaAllegation
  • A two-judge Court of Appeal bench dismissed, without taking it up for hearing, his petition for an order preventing his arrest and detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act in the Easter attacks investigation.1 Oct 2026 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court dismisses ex-President Gotabaya’s writ petition against arrest over Easter attacks probe
  • The petition named the Inspector General of Police, the CID Director and the Attorney General as respondents. The Attorney General’s Department had told the court it could not undertake that he would not be arrested. The article notes that he has denied involvement and that the dismissal does not by itself establish criminal liability.1 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Court blow for Gota over Easter attacks probe
  • He filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Court of Appeal ruling, naming the Inspector General of Police, the CID Director and several others as respondents.9 Oct 2026 · Newswire · Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeals Supreme Court over PTA arrest bid
  • AFP: following Sallay’s interrogation, investigators secured court orders preventing former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa from leaving the island. The report says the CID had stopped short of naming him as a suspect.10 Jun 2026 · AFP (via Macau Business) · Sri Lanka says spy chief 'directed' Easter bombings
• Namal Rajapaksa / Nephew of / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • AP describes him as the nephew of the ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.13 Sep 2024 · Associated Press · Sri Lankans' fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president
• Mahinda Rajapaksa / Brother of / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • AP: Mahinda’s brother Gotabaya was elected president in 2019 and ousted in 2022 after an uprising over the economy.13 Sep 2024 · Associated Press · Sri Lankans' fury forced the powerful Rajapaksa clan out. Now its heir is running for president
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Found to have violated public trust by / Supreme Court ruling on the economic crisis, November 2023
  • Named with his brothers in the 4 to 1 ruling. The case was brought by Transparency International Sri Lanka and four activists.15 Nov 2023 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka top court finds Rajapaksa brothers guilty of economic crisis
• Mahinda Rajapaksa / Prime minister under, until May 2022 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • He resigned as prime minister on 9 May 2022 amid protests over the economic crisis, submitting his resignation to his brother, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Government supporters had attacked protesters hours earlier.9 May 2022 · NPR · The prime minister of Sri Lanka resigns after weeks of protests
• Basil Rajapaksa / Brother of; finance minister under / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • The Quint, citing Reuters: the president’s youngest brother, dismissed as finance minister in April 2022, resigned from parliament on 9 June 2022.9 Jun 2022 · The Quint, citing Reuters · Sri Lanka President's Brother, Basil Rajapaksa, Resigns From Parliament
• Namal Rajapaksa / Minister in government of, from August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Named in the government line-up unveiled after the swearing-in at Kandy in August 2020, under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs.13 Aug 2020 · Daily FT · GR-MR pick A and B teams to deliver prosperity
• Shasheendra Rajapaksa / State minister in government of, from August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Named in the government line-up unveiled after the swearing-in at Kandy in August 2020, under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as a state minister for paddy and cereals, organic food, vegetables, fruits, seed production and high-tech agriculture.13 Aug 2020 · Daily FT · GR-MR pick A and B teams to deliver prosperity
• Chamal Rajapaksa / Sworn in as minister before, August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Took the oath in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kandy on 12 August 2020 as Minister of Irrigation.12 Aug 2020 · News 1st · New Cabinet Ministers Sworn-in; (Complete List)
• Ranil Wickremesinghe / Succeeded as president / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Parliament elected him president on 20 July 2022 with 134 votes. He had become acting president after Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned the week before, and had the backing of the SLPP, the largest bloc in parliament.20 Jul 2022 · Ada Derana · Sri Lanka parliament elects Ranil Wickremesinghe as new President
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Granted pardon to, later ruled invalid / Duminda Silva
  • On 17 January 2024 the Supreme Court declared the pardon invalid, said the proper legal procedure had not been followed, and ordered the original sentence to be implemented.17 Jan 2024 · Ada Derana · Supreme Court deems Duminda Silva's presidential pardon invalid
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Won / Presidential election, November 2019
  • He secured victory with 52.25 per cent of the vote.17 Nov 2019 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka: Rajapaksa wins presidency as Premadasa concedes
• Dullas Alahapperuma / Sworn in as minister by, November 2019 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on 22 November 2019 as minister of education, and of sports and youth affairs.22 Nov 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · New Cabinet sworn-in
• Sarath Fonseka / Led the army in the war alongside / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Reports that he led the army to victory in the final stages of the war alongside Gotabaya Rajapaksa.20 May 2012 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka to free jailed ex-army chief
• Wimal Weerawansa / Sworn in as minister by, November 2019 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on 22 November 2019 as minister of small and medium enterprises and entrepreneur development, and of industries and supply management.22 Nov 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · New Cabinet sworn-in
• S. M. Chandrasena / Sworn in as minister by, November 2019 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on 22 November 2019 as minister of environment and wildlife resources, and of land and land development.22 Nov 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · New Cabinet sworn-in
• Johnston Fernando / Sworn in as minister by, November 2019 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on 22 November 2019 as minister of roads and highways, and of ports and naval affairs.22 Nov 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · New Cabinet sworn-in
• Prasanna Ranatunga / Sworn in as minister by, November 2019 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on 22 November 2019 as minister of industrial export and investment promotion, and of tourism and aviation services.22 Nov 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · New Cabinet sworn-in
• Douglas Devananda / Sworn in as minister by, November 2019 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on 22 November 2019 as minister of fisheries and aquatic resources.22 Nov 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · New Cabinet sworn-in
• Nimal Siripala de Silva / Sworn in as minister by, November 2019 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Sworn in by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on 22 November 2019 as minister of justice, human rights and legal reforms.22 Nov 2019 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · New Cabinet sworn-in
• Udaya Gammanpila / Minister in government of, from August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Named in the government line-up unveiled after the swearing-in at Kandy in August 2020, under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as Minister of Energy.13 Aug 2020 · Daily FT · GR-MR pick A and B teams to deliver prosperity
• Ajith Nivard Cabraal / State minister in government of, from August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Named in the government line-up unveiled after the swearing-in at Kandy in August 2020, under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, as State Minister of Finance and Capital Markets and Public Enterprise Reforms.13 Aug 2020 · Daily FT · GR-MR pick A and B teams to deliver prosperity
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Named in / List of 50 cases tabled in Parliament, 8 October 2026Allegation
  • The list tabled in Parliament describes his case as alleged use of Rs. 33.9 million from the Land Reclamation and Development Corporation for a memorial.8 Oct 2026 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · ‘Not political revenge’: Bimal tables 50 corruption, fraud and criminal cases in Parliament
• Rohitha Abeygunawardena / Sworn in as minister before, August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Took the oath in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kandy on 12 August 2020 as Minister of Ports and Shipping.12 Aug 2020 · News 1st · New Cabinet Ministers Sworn-in; (Complete List)
• C. B. Ratnayake / Sworn in as minister before, August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Took the oath in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kandy on 12 August 2020 as Minister of Wildlife and Forest Conservation.12 Aug 2020 · News 1st · New Cabinet Ministers Sworn-in; (Complete List)
• Mahindananda Aluthgamage / Sworn in as minister before, August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Took the oath in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kandy on 12 August 2020 as Minister of Agriculture.12 Aug 2020 · News 1st · New Cabinet Ministers Sworn-in; (Complete List)
• Bandula Gunawardana / Sworn in as minister before, August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Took the oath in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kandy on 12 August 2020 as Minister of Trade.12 Aug 2020 · News 1st · New Cabinet Ministers Sworn-in; (Complete List)
• Keheliya Rambukwella / Sworn in as minister before, August 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Took the oath in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at Kandy on 12 August 2020 as Minister of Mass Media.12 Aug 2020 · News 1st · New Cabinet Ministers Sworn-in; (Complete List)
• Dinesh Gunawardena / Foreign Minister under, 2019 to 2020 / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • He served as Foreign Minister from 2019 to 2020 under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
• Nalaka Godahewa / Organiser of the Viyathmaga group that backed / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Describes him as one of the main organisers of the Viyathmaga organisation that propelled Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the presidency in 2019.15 Sep 2024 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Get to know the main contenders’ core teams
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Accused in; proceedings quashed, September 2019 / Avant-Garde Bribery Commission case, Colombo Magistrate’s CourtAllegation
  • On 30 September 2016 the Colombo Chief Magistrate granted him bail, with Nissanka Senadipathi and five others, in the case filed by the Bribery Commission. He was banned from travelling abroad. The Commission said the suspects permitted Avant Garde Maritime Services to operate a floating armoury, causing a Rs. 11.4 billion loss.30 Sep 2016 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Avant Garde case: Gota, Senadipathi, 5 others granted bail
  • On 12 September 2019 the Court of Appeal allowed his revision application, set aside the Magistrate’s Court order and quashed the proceedings for want of jurisdiction, directing that he and the second to eighth accused be discharged.12 Sep 2019 · Ada Derana · Appeals Court orders to acquit Gotabaya and others from Avant-Garde case
• Nissanka Senadhipathi / Co-accused with, in the Bribery Commission case; told a commission he was victimised to imprison / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Named with Gotabaya Rajapaksa among the suspects granted bail on 30 September 2016.30 Sep 2016 · Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka) · Avant Garde case: Gota, Senadipathi, 5 others granted bail
  • He told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on political victimisation that he was politically victimised in an attempt to imprison Gotabaya Rajapaksa over a legal case, and said the former Bribery Commission Director General had offered to drop proceedings if he signed an affidavit that money was given to Gotabaya Rajapaksa. These are his statements to the commission.27 May 2020 · Ada Derana · Avant-Garde chairman’s revelation on ex-Director General of Bribery Commission
  • In the separate Attorney General’s case before the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar, the report says Gotabaya Rajapaksa was not named as an accused.12 Sep 2019 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Appeal Court orders to acquit all accused in Bribery Commission's Avant Garde case
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / As defence secretary, backed the modernisation drive of / Sarath Fonseka
  • Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the president’s younger brother, backed Fonseka’s modernisation efforts. Fonseka later said their split stemmed from a dispute over who deserved credit for the victory.18 Nov 2011 · Al Jazeera · Profile: General Sarath Fonseka
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / As defence secretary, declared the war over / End of the war, May 2009
  • At an official ceremony in Colombo, defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse declared the end of the 26-year conflict, telling President Mahinda Rajapakse, “We have successfully ended the war.”19 May 2009 · Al Jazeera · Sri Lanka rebel chief 'killed'
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Said by Karuna to have provided his fake diplomatic passport / Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (Colonel Karuna Amman)Allegation
  • Human Rights Watch says Karuna was arrested in the UK in 2007 for travelling on a false document and testified that the then-defence secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, provided his fake diplomatic passport. The article carries no response from Rajapaksa.23 Jun 2020 · Human Rights Watch · Sri Lanka Investigates Rebel Leader Turned Politician
  • The Sunday Times reported on 20 January 2008 that Karuna pleaded guilty to breaching the UK ID Card Act 2006 after entering Britain on a diplomatic passport allegedly issued by the Sri Lankan government, which carried a different name and the designation “Director of Wild Life”. Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila told Parliament he had no knowledge of the passport or the note that backed the visa. The article does not mention Gotabaya Rajapaksa.20 Jan 2008 · The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka) · Karuna pleads guilty, faces jail
• Protesters storm the President’s official residence, 2022 / Protesters blamed him for the crisis; he said he would step down afterwards / Gotabaya Rajapaksa
  • Reports that he had said he would step down on 13 July after thousands of protesters stormed his official residence, and that the protesters blamed him for the economic crisis.15 Jul 2022 · The Tribune (India) · Sri Lankan President lands in Singapore, quits
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Emailed to the Speaker from Singapore / Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation letter, July 2022
  • Reports that he fled to the Maldives without resigning, went on to Singapore, and emailed his resignation letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena; the Speaker’s office was checking it before a formal announcement.15 Jul 2022 · The Tribune (India) · Sri Lankan President lands in Singapore, quits
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Appeared in court to testify in, September 2026 / Disappearance of Lalith Kumar Weeraraj and Kugan Muruganandhan, 2011
  • He appeared before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on 29 September 2026 to testify in the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court case, which had allowed him to give evidence by video link. He was Defence Secretary when the two activists disappeared, and was first summoned to give evidence in 2019.29 Sep 2026 · Newswire · Gotabaya Rajapaksa in court to testify in Lalith-Kugan disappearance case
• Gotabaya Rajapaksa / Has denied that government forces caused civilian casualties / UN Panel of Experts report, 25 April 2011
  • Human Rights Watch reports that officials, including Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, have denied that government forces caused civilian casualties.25 Apr 2011 · Human Rights Watch · Sri Lanka: UN Chief Should Establish International Inquiry