Former Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa has claimed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake harbours a “hateful attitude” towards him, citing long-standing political and personal differences within the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
In an interview on the Hari TV YouTube channel with journalist Lahiru Mudalige, Weerawansa reflected on his political history and eventual departure from the JVP, suggesting that the animosity he perceives from senior party figures extends to the President as well.
When asked about the President’s view of him, Weerawansa said he senses the same hostility he experienced from top JVP officials. He claimed that Dissanayake played a key role in the process that led to his removal from the party, adding that his continued presence may have been seen as an obstacle to the President’s political ambitions.
Recalling earlier years in the party, Weerawansa spoke of a period of close camaraderie, noting that he and Tilvin Silva frequently visited the Kurunegala District, where Dissanayake served as the JVP’s District Secretary. He said Dissanayake would guide them to meetings on a bicycle, while others travelled by vehicle.
Despite these shared experiences, Weerawansa said the relationship deteriorated over time, describing the President as one of those who later viewed him with a “hateful attitude.”
He also commented on his own political style, describing himself as open and candid, finding it difficult to conceal his true feelings for political advantage. Weerawansa suggested that this unwillingness to “act” or play a role for convenience contributed to his exit from the JVP, adding that had he been more calculating, he might still be within the party.
Concluding his remarks, Weerawansa said he prefers to live without suppressing his thoughts or feelings, even if that choice has shaped his current position outside the ruling political establishment.
