Intrigue Unveiled: Ex-MP Uddika Premaratne Linked to Own Shooting
By Julian Jansen
In a revelation that could rival the most gripping plot twists from his acting days, Sri Lanka Police have pointed fingers at former Anuradhapura District parliamentarian Uddika Premaratne, suggesting that the recent vehicular gunplay directed at him was more of a self-made spectacle than a random act of violence.
During a press briefing in Colombo, Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa dropped the bombshell, claiming that investigations by the CID have unmasked the supposed orchestrators of the event, with Premaratne himself allegedly pulling the strings, aided and abetted by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) from the area.
Flashback to September 17, 2023, when a band of shadowy figures, conveniently masked, peppered Premaratne’s car with bullets as he waltzed back home around 10:35 p.m. in Anuradhapura. Miraculously, the ex-MP emerged unscathed, painting a picture that could’ve come straight out of a Hollywood script.
As outlined in the police report, the assailants arrived in their vehicle and targeted Premaratne as he approached his residence, orchestrating an assault that resulted in the shattering of the left rear door glass of his vehicle. This incident left behind a notable aftermath, prompting further investigation into the matter.
In classic whodunit fashion, Anuradhapura’s finest promptly launched an investigation, even calling in the Special Task Force (STF) for backup. Eventually, the case fell into the hands of the CID, who presumably began dissecting the script for any plot holes.
But wait, there’s more drama! Premaratne, playing the role of the victim with an Oscar-worthy performance, took to the parliamentary stage to deliver a monologue, blaming the system for his on-screen escapade – sorry, I meant the shooting incident. He waxed poetic about the system being the root cause of all his troubles, conveniently forgetting to thank the Academy.
Fast forward to February 27, 2024, when Premaratne, perhaps sensing the end credits rolling, resigned from his role as MP, making way for S.C. Muthukumarana to step into the limelight.
In a plot twist that nobody saw coming – or did they? – Premaratne supposedly flew off to Canada, raising eyebrows and speculation faster than a speeding bullet. He vehemently denied seeking political asylum, instead claiming to be in hot pursuit of a work visa. Must be a new acting gig lined up, right?
Rewind to 2020, when Premaratne traded his reel life for a role in the political circus, joining the Sri Lanka People’s Freedom Alliance, a motley crew led by the SLPP. He even managed to secure a seat in Parliament, proving that sometimes, life imitates art a little too closely.
And just like that, another scene fades to black, leaving us wondering – what’s the next blockbuster twist in Sri Lanka’s political theater?
