✦ Celebrity stories, facts and career updates. Explore F4U now →

Home › Biography › Basil Rajapaksa

Basil Rajapaksa biographyFeatured Biography

Image source: StarsUnfolded

Celebrities

Basil Rajapaksa Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 28, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth27 April 1951

Age71 (as of 2022)

BirthplaceGiruwapaththuwa, Hambantota district, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)

ProfessionPolitician

NationalitySri Lankan - American

Marital statusMarried

SpousePushpa Rajapaksa

FamilySon - Asanka; Daughters - Thejani, Bimalka, Ashantha; Parents - D. A. Rajapaksa and Dandina Rajapaksa

Basil Rajapaksa Biography

Basil Rajapaksa is a Sri Lankan-American politician known for his long involvement in Sri Lankan politics and for serving as Finance Minister during the 2

Early life and background

Basil Rajapaksa was born on 27 April 1951 in Giruwapaththuwa in the Hambantota district of what was then Ceylon. He grew up in a politically active family; his father, D. A. Rajapaksa, was a politician and freedom fighter. Basil attended Isipathana College and Ananda College during his school years.

He is one of a large family that includes several siblings active in public life, among them Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, both of whom served as Presidents of Sri Lanka. Basil later acquired United States citizenship and is described in sources as Sri Lankan-American.

Career

Basil Rajapaksa’s political activity dates back to the 1970s. He entered electoral politics by contesting the 1977 general election from the Mulkirigala electorate. Over the years he was affiliated with multiple parties: the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in the early 1970s, the United National Party from 1977 to 1997, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party again between 2010 and 2016, and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna from 2016 onward.

He worked alongside his elder brothers in several campaigns and returned to Sri Lanka from the United States to take part in Mahinda Rajapaksa’s 2005 presidential campaign. After that election, Basil served as a presidential adviser. In 2007 he entered parliament via the national list, and in 2010 he contested and won a parliamentary seat from the Gampaha district, receiving substantial voter support.

In later years he continued to contest elections, including participation in the 2021 general election. Following that contest, he was appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to lead the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies in 2021. His tenure as Finance Minister coincided with the severe economic problems Sri Lanka experienced in 2021–2022. He was removed from the finance portfolio in 2022 and resigned his parliamentary seat on 10 June 2022, saying he would step back from government activities while remaining involved in politics.

Public profile

Basil has been a prominent, sometimes controversial, figure in Sri Lankan public life. He has been associated with the Pushpa Rajapaksa Foundation, founded by his wife, Pushpa. He and his family have attracted scrutiny over allegations related to funds and property; those matters have been addressed in courts and by investigative authorities. One reported property is a large mansion said to occupy 16 acres on the banks of the Kelani River.

During the country’s economic crisis, some parliamentarians and commentators criticized his approach and attendance, saying he was absent from parliamentary sessions for extended periods and resistant to outside recommendations. His role in government and his close influence within the Rajapaksa political circle have led to frequent media attention.

Legal and travel developments

Basil was detained by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division in 2015 amid investigations into financial matters; he denied wrongdoing. Some related legal proceedings progressed over subsequent years, including a 2015 complaint alleging misuse of funds connected to the Divi Neguma Development Department; that case was dismissed in 2022 when the court concluded the prosecution had not proven the alleged violations beyond a reasonable doubt.

In mid‑2022, amid large-scale public unrest in Sri Lanka, Basil sought to leave the country for medical and family reasons but was initially prevented from departing. He filed a petition with the Sri Lankan Supreme Court and was granted permission to leave the country on 9 September 2022.

Personal life

Basil Rajapaksa is married to Pushpa Rajapaksa. The couple have four children: one son, Asanka, and three daughters, Thejani, Bimalka and Ashantha. His parents are D. A. Rajapaksa and Dandina Rajapaksa. He is reported to follow Buddhism.

Latest updates

In 2022 Basil stepped down from his parliamentary role and was permitted by the Supreme Court to leave Sri Lanka later that year. His political affiliations have continued to align with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna since 2016, and his public stature remains tied to the wider Rajapaksa family’s prominence in Sri Lankan politics.
◈

Recent Work

Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies

Appointed to lead Sri Lanka’s finance ministry in 2021; removed from the post in 2022 amid the country’s economic crisis.

2021-2022
Member of Parliament (Gampaha district)

Elected in 2010 with a substantial vote count; resigned his seat on 10 June 2022.

2010-2022
Member of Parliament (National List)

Entered parliament from the national list in 2007 after serving as a presidential adviser.

2007-2010
✦

Career Highlights

  1. Advisor to President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the 2005 election
  2. Entered parliament from the national list in 2007
  3. Elected MP from Gampaha in 2010 with strong voter support
  4. Appointed Finance Minister in 2021 during a major economic crisis
  5. Resigned from parliament on 10 June 2022
?

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Basil Rajapaksa born?

27 April 1951

What is Basil Rajapaksa known for?

Politician

What is Basil Rajapaksa’s marital status?

Married

Who is Basil Rajapaksa married to?

Pushpa Rajapaksa