Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa turns 70 today.

He will mark his birthday with religious ceremonies at Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura.

Events to mark his birthday were held in Tangalle yesterday.

Born on November 18, 1945, Rajapaksa is a controversial figure in Sri Lankan politics. Some consider him a hero, for defeating the LTTE in 2009. Others disagree, for different reasons, including the alleged war crimes committed under his government.

Rajapaksa entered into politics at a young age, after his father's demise in 1967. He entered Parliament in 1970, at the age of 24, becoming the youngest MP of the Parliament.

He was later a Cabinet Minister under President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga from 1994 to 2001. From 2001 to 2004, he was the Leader of Opposition and was appointed Prime Minister in April 2004 when the UPFA won the 2004 General Election.

Rajapaksa won the 2005 PResidential Election on his 60th birthday and became the President of Sri Lanka. He was defeated when he sought a third term in office on January 8, 2015.