New Episode in Actor-Turned-MP Uddika Premarathna's "Shooting"

In the wake of the investigation into the shooting incident targeting actor-turned-politician Uddika Premarathna, Anuradhapura District Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sanjeewa Mahanama, who is allegedly involved in the incident, left the country without informing authorities. ASP Mahanama reportedly departed for Malaysia, and before his departure, his official firearm was handed over to the police through a third party.

Police Media Spokesman, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Nihal Thalduwa, stated that investigations into the shooting incident of former parliamentarian Premarathna revealed that ASP Mahanama, along with the former parliamentarian, allegedly planned the attack targeting the car in front of Premarathna’s residence. The incident took place on the night of September last year (2023) A special investigation has commenced regarding ASP Mahanama’s departure without obtaining the necessary permission from the police. DIG Thalduwa noted that the planning of the alleged shooting and the involvement of the ASP were uncovered a few days ago.

Uddika Premarathna represented the Anuradhapura district, contesting under the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), the party with the majority of seats in parliament. Premarathna handed over his letter of resignation from his parliamentary membership to the Deputy General Secretary of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, on February 27 this year. In his resignation letter, Premarathna stated that he entered politics with hopes of creating change in the country as a young leader. He expressed that despite his aspirations, the opportunity to effect change was not properly presented to him during his time in parliament, making it difficult to carry forward his work as a dynamic individual. Premarathna secured more than 133,000 votes and won a seat in the 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka. After his resignation, he told the media that he expected to obtain a work visa in Canada.