Many events including religious ceremonies, blood donation campaigns, alms givings and charity events have been organised throughout the country to mark the occasion.

He also commemorates the fourth year of his second term in office tomorrow.

Born on November 18, 1945 in Medamulana in the deep South, he followed the footsteps of his father D.A. Rajapaksa in politics to become first as an MP, then Minister, Prime Minister and finally the fifth Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

It is singular that President Rajapaksa's victory at the 2005 presidential election coincided with his birthday.