Rehan Calls Out SJB Over ‘Double Standards’

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) member Rehan Jayawickreme has sparked fresh political debate after raising concerns over what he described as double standards within the party, in the wake of the arrest of SJB organiser Charith Abeysinghe in a high-profile bribery investigation.

In a post on social media platform X, Jayawickreme reflected on a previous controversy involving SJB Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne, who was pressured to resign from a position linked to a sports body over what was described at the time as an ethics-related issue.

Drawing a comparison, Jayawickreme questioned why similar standards do not appear to be applied in the current situation involving serious allegations.

“@EranWick was pushed to resign over an ethics issue for holding a sports body role. Yet similar standards don’t seem to apply to SJB figures with UK convictions now facing serious local bribery allegations,” he stated.

Jayawickreme’s remarks are widely seen as a direct reference to the arrest of Charith Abeysinghe, a prominent SJB organiser and close associate of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, who is currently implicated in a major bribery investigation involving allegations of large-scale financial dealings.

The comments have added to growing political tensions, as the arrest of Abeysinghe alongside Rakitha Rajapaksa, the son of former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa, continues to dominate headlines. The case centers on allegations that a substantial bribe was solicited in connection with organized crime figure Nadun Chinthaka, also known as “Harak Kata.”