Mahinda Rajapaksa

Mahinda Rajapaksa won the presidential election, defeating Ranil Wickremesinghe. His victory was fueled by a hardline stance against the Tamil Tigers and promises of a strong military campaign to end the civil war.

Rajapaksa's government launched a massive military offensive to defeat the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The campaign involved intense fighting, civilian casualties, and allegations of war crimes, but ultimately led to the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009.

Rajapaksa announced the end of the 26-year Sri Lankan Civil War after the death of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. The victory was celebrated by many Sinhalese but left deep scars among Tamils, with thousands killed and displaced in the final months.

Rajapaksa's government passed the 18th Amendment to the constitution, removing the two-term limit on the presidency. This allowed him to run for a third term and consolidated his power, drawing criticism for undermining democratic institutions.

Rajapaksa was defeated in his bid for a third term by Maithripala Sirisena, a former ally. The loss was attributed to corruption allegations, authoritarianism, and a united opposition. He accepted defeat peacefully, a rare event in Sri Lankan politics.