Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe Politician
Wijeyadasa Rajapakse (born 16 March 1959) is a Sri Lankan politician, ex Minister of State Banking Development and a member of the Parliament of Sri Lanka.Mr. Rajapakshe hails from a family in Walasmulla ( Mulkirigala Electorate ) Hambantota District. He commenced his career as a Banker and resigned after a period of 5 years to enter the legal profession. He holds a degree of Law from the University of Colombo. He has been practicing in the field of law since 1984 and has reached great heights within a short span of time. He was bestowed with the award of the Outstanding Young Person (TOYP) in the field of legal affairs in 1998. He was appointed as a Presidents Counsel in 2001 and his name has been etched in the annals of legal history as one who obtained prestigious recognition at a comparatively young age. He had been an examiner in the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, as well.While engaged in legal practice he has held a series of responsible public offices such as Chairman of the Rent Board of Review, Chairman of Sri Lanka Press Council, Vice President of the world Association of Press Council, Director National Film Corporation, Director Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Managing Director Associated Newspaper Ceylon (Lake House), Panel Chairman, to inquire into the allegations of misconduct against Attorneys-at-Law, Chairman of Disciplinary Committee, to inquire into the charges of doping, against Athletes. In May 2004 he was appointed as a Member of Parliament to represent the ruling Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party and was offered the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs which was refused by him. Later he continued as the only Member of Parliament on the government side, without holding any portfolio. After the Election of the present President His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, he was sworn in as the Minister of State Banking Development in November 2005, but resigned in April 2006 on a matter of policy. He also resigned from the Organizer post of the Maharagama electorate. Then he was elected the Chairman of COPE in July 2006 and presented the first report in January 2007, which led to serious controversies both local and overseas. He was recognized as a crusader who fought against corruption in the public sector, regardless of stature and the might of the politicians and the officials involved in such corruption. His dedication to combat corruption and establish good governance was highly recognized by all patriotic segments in the country, and he was bestowed with the most prestigious award titled Sri Lankan of the year 2007 by LMD media services.