Rajapakse, 64, came to power in 2005 and has increased his firm grip on power since defeating the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in May last year after nearly four decades of bloody ethnic conflict. The president’s family holds key positions on the island, with three brothers taking the roles of defense secretary, Speaker of Parliament and economic development minister. His son was also elected to Parliament in April. The Cabinet endorsed the statute change on Wednesday, a spokesman for the government Information Department said.