Algirdas Brazauskas vs Gotabaya Rajapaksa

Brazauskas oversaw the introduction of the Lithuanian litas as the national currency in June 1993, replacing the temporary talonas. The move was part of broader economic reforms to stabilize the economy and establish monetary independence from Russia.

Algirdas Brazauskas was elected President of Lithuania in February 1993, winning 60% of the vote. He was the first president of independent Lithuania after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, having previously served as the last leader of the Lithuanian Communist Party.

Brazauskas negotiated the withdrawal of the last Russian troops from Lithuania in August 1993, completing the country's full independence. The agreement was reached after months of talks, and the troops left by the end of the year.

As Defense Secretary under President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa oversaw the military campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The war ended in 2009 with the defeat of the LTTE, but was marked by allegations of civilian casualties and human rights abuses.

Rajapaksa won the presidential election with a landslide victory, securing 52.25% of the vote. His campaign focused on national security and economic development, appealing to Sinhalese Buddhist nationalism.

Under Rajapaksa's presidency, Sri Lanka faced its worst economic crisis since independence, with shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. The government defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time in history, leading to widespread protests.

Following massive protests and the occupation of the presidential palace, Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives and then Singapore. He resigned as president via email, ending his presidency in disgrace.