A future leader with a friendly spirit, possessing good values is what comes to mind when meeting the dashing and smashing, young Namal Rajapaksa. His credo in life is to bring peace to Sri Lanka starting with the nation’s youth, instilling patriotism and universal harmony to bring everyone together. Even though most Sri Lankan youth come from different backgrounds, Namal is determined to put aside immaterial differences like religion, caste, race, social standing and financial status to strengthen peace and unity in Sri Lanka.
Lakshman Namal Rajapaksa was born on the 10th of April 1986 at the Navaloka Hospital in Colombo to Miss Ceylon 1978 Shiranthi Rajapaksa and the 5th president of Sri Lanka, the Honourable Mahinda Percy Rajapaksa.
Hailing from a notably political family, he has always been at the forefront to help people and offer solutions to problems that are ever-present in this modern day. His distinguished family encompasses Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Chamal Rajapaksa and his grand uncle the late D.M. Rajapaksa, a renowned State Councilor for Hambantota in the 1930s. Namal’s grandfather was D.A. Rajapaksa, a former prominent politician, independence agitator and former Member of Parliament.
Namal is the eldest of three brothers – Yoshita a year younger and Rohitha three years younger than him. He is very close to his siblings and has always been an advisor and guiding light to help not only his family but everyone whom he has associated with. Having an alma mater like St.Thomas’ College (STC) in Mount Lavinia, Namal was an intelligent student who balanced his academic life with a sportier outlook with his strong involvement in tennis, athletics and more prominently – rugby. Namal captained the Under 10 and Under 12 tennis teams and was very involved in every sports meet event at school. Under his captaincy, STC clinched the Roy-Tho title after 5 years with an impressive feat on his part.
Rugby was his lifeblood and his commitment and dedication for the game saw him being awarded national colors in the Under 16 and Under 19 group also captained the nation youth team, with school colors for four years. He captained the Under 13, Under 15, Under 17 and Under 19 rugby teams. During his AL studies, he even won the political science prize in 2004 professing an interest in that area.
Namal enjoys reading and also confesses to having ventured into the area of racing. He is very much devoted to community service and does it with as much passion and purpose.
Presently finishing a law degree at a prestigious university in London, Namal also plays rugby for a club, continuing his love for this great game. He has an abundance of good friends and people whom he shares similar ideals and beliefs, making him a very versatile and interesting character. He is patient and understands what anyone conveys and is a pleasure to keep company with.
He travels around the world extensively and participates in many youth-related events by spearheading the Tharunyata Hetak (Aspiring Youth) programme. Having started community development work ever since he was 16 years, he has been at the forefront of achieving as much as he can for Sri Lankan youth.
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