Rehan Jayawickrama

Political career

Chairman of Weligama Urban Council Jayawickreme entered local politics with the United National Party, contesting the 2018 local authority elections. He was subsequently elected Chairman of the Weligama Urban Council. During his tenure, he oversaw the creation of the "Weligama Urban Development Plan (2019–2030)" in collaboration with the national Urban Development Authority (UDA). In the same statement, he blamed the police for failing to notify the LG authorities about problematic establishments, highlighting a rift between local government and national law enforcement over regulation.

Speaking at the opening of a community hall in Mahena, Weligama, constructed at a cost of Rs. 860,000 using council funds, he noted that “every cent” spent by the council for public purposes was the result of his efforts in requesting financial support from ministers.

In a letter addressed to Wickremesinghe, he stated, "I now think your time has passed," and urged him to "have the courage to hand over the reins to your deputy."

The letter argued that the party required "a candidate and party leader who understands the plight of the common citizen," and warned that disciplinary action against him would be accepted "with pride and dignity."

Association with Mangala Samaraweera

In 2020, Jayawickreme accompanied former minister Mangala Samaraweera when the latter was questioned by police over a controversial public statement.

As a member of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), he also invited Samaraweera to return to active politics through the party.

Samaraweera has been described in commentary as a prominent liberal political figure and mentor to younger politicians in Sri Lanka.

Transition to Samagi Jana Balawegaya In May 2019, while still serving as the UNP Mayor of Weligama, Jayawickreme publicly created a "fresh UNP rift" by directly challenging the party leadership. He wrote a letter to party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, requesting that he "step down as the Party Leader" and hand over the leadership to Sajith Premadasa. In June 2020, he received a "show cause" letter from the UNP initiating disciplinary action for submitting nominations for the upcoming general election from another party.

Removal as Chairman of the Urban Council The UNP officially expelled him in August 2020. was third on the preferences list for the SJB in Matara, which only returned two SJB MPs to Parliament.

Rehan Jayawickreme contested the 2024 Sri Lankan parliamentary election from the Matara District as a candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya but was not elected; only one SJB candidate from the district was returned to Parliament.

Roles within Samagi Jana Balawegaya

In June 2021, Jayawickreme was appointed to the Working Committee of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

He was also appointed Social Development Secretary to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, with the letter of appointment formally handed over by Premadasa.

In September 2022, Jayawickreme was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s National Reforms Committee.

He was also appointed Chairman of the party’s LGBTIQ Reforms Committee, while continuing to serve as Vice Chairman of the SJB Youth wing.

Jayawickreme, in his capacity as Chairman of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s LGBTIQ Reforms Committee, oversaw the submission of a proposed policy document to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in August 2023.

He stated that the committee had been tasked with completing the policy within two months and indicated plans to engage religious leaders regarding the proposals.

Political activism and public stances After his 2020 electoral defeat, Jayawickreme became a prominent activist for the SJB. He served as the party's Weligama Organiser He resigned from the youth wing vice chairmanship in November 2023 to focus on the upcoming general election.

Opposition to forced cremations During the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, Jayawickreme publicly opposed cases that risked compulsory cremation without confirmed medical findings. In May 2020, while serving as Chairman of the Weligama Urban Council, he intervened in a case involving a deceased Muslim woman in Weligama after sections of the media reported that she had died of COVID-19. According to contemporaneous reports, Jayawickreme stated that he had insisted the deceased should not be cremated until a COVID-19 test had been conducted, warning that irresponsible reporting could inflame communal tension.

In May 2020, Jayawickreme publicly warned two private television channels over what he described as the unauthorised entry into the private property of a suspected COVID-19 patient in Weligama and the invasion of the family’s privacy. Citing powers under the Urban Council Act, he said he would ban unauthorised media access to such private premises in the area and warned that legal action could follow against outlets that continued irresponsible or false reporting on suspected COVID-19 cases.

Marriott Weligama COVID-19 incident

In November 2020, a guest linked to the Brandix COVID-19 cluster was reported to have stayed at the Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, prompting contact tracing and quarantine measures involving hotel staff.

Jayawickreme, serving as Chairman of the Weligama Urban Council, instructed the temporary closure of the hotel as a precautionary public health measure.

The hotel management subsequently stated that operations would continue without accepting new room bookings, in line with health guidelines.

Criticism of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena

In November 2022, Jayawickreme criticised Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, alleging that he had acted in a politically biased manner inconsistent with the neutrality expected of the office.

He further claimed that the Speaker was engaged in political activities, including functioning as a party organiser, which he argued was incompatible with the constitutional expectations of the position.

Online Safety Bill petition In October 2023, Jayawickreme was a key petitioner in a high-profile Fundamental Rights petition filed in the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka challenging the constitutionality of the government's controversial Online Safety Bill.

Position on the Prevention of Terrorism Act

In April 2023, Jayawickreme stated that a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) working committee had decided to oppose the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), adding that the group would advocate this position within the party’s parliamentary group.

In October 2023, Jayawickreme filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill, seeking a special determination on its constitutionality.

Parliamentary conduct

In October 2023, Jayawickreme was reported by The Morning as having objected to comments made by SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara during a parliamentary session. The remarks had drawn criticism from SJB members and State Minister Diana Gamage, who wrote to the Speaker seeking action over the incident.

Fundamental rights petition on Community Advisory Committees

Jayawickreme was also a petitioner in a Fundamental Rights application filed before the Supreme Court in June 2024 challenging the appointment of Community Advisory Committees, alleging that the move constituted a misuse of state funds and an arbitrary exercise of power.

Protest outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's official residence

In July 2022, Jayawickreme was arrested along with several others during a protest outside the official residence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid nationwide demonstrations triggered by Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.

He was later released on bail.

Speaking following his arrest, Jayawickreme stated that the group had been protesting peacefully and had requested a brief meeting with the President before being arrested after crossing police barricades. He also alleged that police used force during the arrest.

The arrest occurred amid widespread public unrest, which later culminated in demonstrators storming the President’s official residence, with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country and subsequently resigning in July 2022.

Summons by the Criminal Investigation Department

In May 2023, Jayawickreme was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with investigations related to the torching of the President’s House.

Responding to the summons, he stated that he would not be intimidated by such actions and criticised to authorities for focusing on politicians rather than criminal activity.

Statements on Ranil Wickremesinghe presidency

In February 2023, Rehan Jayawickreme commented on the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Ranil Wickremesinghe as President of Sri Lanka following the resignation of Gotabaya Rajapaksa amid the 2022 protests.

Speaking to The Morning, Jayawickreme stated that Wickremesinghe “should be thankful” to him and Hirunika Premachandra, claiming that their involvement in the protest movement contributed to Rajapaksa’s removal from office and, consequently, Wickremesinghe’s rise to the presidency. He further alleged that the government was subsequently targeting them through legal action despite their role in the protests.

He stated that he believed in serving the public without personal benefits and emphasised the need for new approaches in politics.

Criticism of rice industry practices

In December 2024, Jayawickreme criticised the structure of Sri Lanka’s rice industry, alleging that it was dominated by a small group of powerful mill owners who manipulate prices, exploit farmers, and create artificial shortages.

He called for stronger state intervention, including regulation, penalties, and potential nationalisation, arguing that such measures were necessary to protect both farmers and consumers from market manipulation.

Weligama PS Chairman assassination

In 2025, following the assassination of Lasantha Wickramasekara, the SJB Chairman of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, Jayawickrama became a vocal critic of the government's and police's response. He accused the government of promoting a "convenient cover-up" by "dismissing it as an underworld-related incident." Jayawickrama revealed that Wickramasekara had "repeatedly" warned of threats to his life, including a formal letter sent to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in August (2025) that detailed an alleged assassination plot targeting him either at court or the council premises. He stated that these "multiple requests" for "special protection" for the chairman and other SJB members were met with "silence" from the police. He specifically highlighted the "illegal activities of certain Israeli business owners," which he claimed had "persisted for far too long." He stated that "numerous appeals to various governments [...] have been ignored" and warned that the situation had escalated into a "serious security threat that could derail Sri Lanka's tourism recovery efforts."

Other activism Jayawickrama has also engaged in anti-corruption activism using RTI. In 2021, he was part of an SJB team that filed an RTI at the Election Commission to access the asset declarations of former Deputy Minister Nirupama Rajapaksa, who was named in the Pandora Papers leak. In 2024, he confirmed the party had filed another RTI application concerning privileges reportedly requested on behalf of a former president. He has also used his social media platform to highlight cases of alleged injustice. In 2025, he drew public attention to the death of an eight-year-old boy following an incident at the Colombo Swimming Club, alleging "negligence" by the staff. He questioned whether there had been a "hush operation" because the child's family had "limited influence" and "could not push back."

Call for internal reform within SJB

In June 2025, Jayawickreme called on the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to undertake internal reflection and reform, stating that the party had strayed from its founding principles and risked losing public support.

He further stated that he was willing to face expulsion from the party for expressing his views, remarking, “If I’m expelled for speaking the truth, so be it.”

Retirement from party politics In 2025, following election defeats and internal party challenges, Jayawickrama announced his retirement from party politics. He submitted his resignation to SJB leader Sajith Premadasa.

Temporary return to Samagi Jana Balawegaya

In March 2025, Jayawickreme temporarily returned to support Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) candidates contesting the upcoming local government elections in Weligama.

He had previously stepped away from politics following his defeat at the 2024 parliamentary election, and stated that his return was at the request of party leadership and local candidates he had previously worked with.

Resignation from Samagi Jana Balawegaya

In January 2025, Jayawickreme also resigned from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and his position as Weligama organiser in a letter addressed to the party leadership.

In the letter, he stated that his “vision for the future no longer aligns with the party’s direction” and that, following “consecutive election defeats”, he intended to prioritise his family and business commitments.

He also reflected on his role within the party, stating that he had “put [his] reputation, career, and personal stability on the line” in support of its leadership and vision.

Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund transparency campaign

In 2026, Jayawickreme submitted a series of Right to Information (RTI) requests regarding the government's Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund, established following Cyclone Ditwah. He sought information relating to the fund's legal status, governance structure, donor contributions, audits, procurement records, disbursements, contractors and monitoring mechanisms.

Following the responses received from public authorities, he publicly raised concerns regarding the availability of records relating to the fund and called for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public donations.

Controversies

Assault on Army officer On 8 September 2012, Jayawickrama (then identified in media reports as Rehan Wijeratne), was involved in an alleged assault of an Army intelligence officer along with Malaka Silva, the son of then-minister Mervyn Silva. Both were arrested and remanded for allegedly assaulting Major Chandana Pradeep Susena at a five-star hotel in Colombo and stealing his service weapon, and were transferred to the Prison Hospital. They were later released on bail. The Army officer later recanted his allegation, and was charged with making false statements to law enforcement.

Connection to the Sri Lankan Central Bank bond scandal In 2017, prior to their marriage, Jayawickrama's future wife, Anika Wijesuriya, testified before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Central Bank bond issuance scandal. She revealed that she had rented her penthouse apartment at Monarch Residencies to then-Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and his family in 2016, with the lease payments of Rs. 1.45 million per month being made by Arjun Aloysius, the owner of Perpetual Treasuries, who was implicated in the bond scam.

International engagements In 2021, Jayawickrama was selected by the Government of India to participate in the "Gen Next Democracy Network Programme". The program, organized by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), invites young leaders from various countries to India to provide them with an overview of its democratic institutions and heritage. He attended the program from 26 November to 2 December 2021.