12. The Rajapaksa Family (Sri Lanka)
The Rajapaksa family has wielded extraordinary power in Sri Lanka, shaping its political landscape for much of the 21st century. Mahinda Rajapaksa served as president and prime minister, while his brother Gotabaya held the presidency, cementing the family’s dominance. Multiple Rajapaksa relatives have occupied key government positions, leading to widespread allegations of nepotism. Their rise—and recent political setbacks—reflect the volatility of dynastic rule in modern democracies.
