President Mahinda Rajapaksa hails from a well known political family. His uncle D.M. Rajapaksa known as the Lion of Ruhuna, a State Councilor for Hambantota from the 1930s started wearing the earthy brown shawl (also worn by President Mahinda Rajapaksa) to represent the kurakkan (a type of local maize) cultivated by the people of his area, whose cause he championed right throughout his life.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s father D.A. Rajapaksa was a well-known public figure and many have remarked on his integrity, courage and perseverance with which he carried out his duties. He succeeded his brother in the Hambantota district in the second State Council of Ceylon.

President Rajapaksa is married to Shiranthi Rajapaksa and has three sons.

• Address by H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the 62nd Independence Day
• 62nd Independence Day Message of H.E. the President
• Address by H.E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, at the 61st Independence Day
• 61st Independence Day Message of H.E. the President
• H.E. the President's New Year Message