Uddika Premarathna


Uddika Premarathna is a Sri Lankan actor, singer, television announcer and former member of parliament. He is an actor in Sri Lankan cinema and television.

Personal life

Premarathna is married to Anusha Kumari Pannala. The couple has one son, Angsh Prachien, who was born on 24 April 2013.

Acting career

Premarathna made his cinema debut in 2011 Buddhist film Mahindagamanaya in a minor role. In 2013, he rose to prominence as the main role in Samanala Sandhawaniya, playing the role of Vadisha Wikramanayaka. The film successfully completed 100 days in theaters.
Premarathna was nominated for "Most Popular Actor" at the 2014 Hiru Golden Film Awards. He also won "Best Actor" at the 2014 Sumathi Awards for his performance.
In 2015, Premarathna was cast for the role of King Dutugemunu in blockbuster film Maharaja Gemunu directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri. The film was awarded Most Popular Movie at the 2016 Hiru Golden Film Awards. In 2017, Premarathna acted in two films. He played the main role of King Walagamba in epic historical film Aloko Udapadi, which was critically acclaimed. In children's film Paha Samath, Premarathna played the role of Samath's crippled father.
In 2019, Premarathna acted in thriller action film Rush as the lead character, Rashan 'Rush' Wijemanna. He described the role as completely different from his previous roles, most of which were Sinhalese kings and monarchs.
In 2020, a series of drama and performing workshops organized by the Ape Maga Foundation, led by Premarathna, were held on 5 and 6 August 2020 at the North Central Provincial Auditorium in Anuradhapura.

Political career

In 2020, Premarathna was announced as a candidate in the 2020 parliamentary elections for the Anuradhapura District as a member of the Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance. He was successfully elected to a seat in the 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka, winning 133,550 preferential votes.

Assassination attempt

On 17 September 2023, Premarathna narrowly escaped an assassination attempt at his residence in Anuradhapura. Unidentified gunmen opened fire at Premarathna as he was getting out from his car. Premarathna was unharmed in the incident.

Resignation and asylum seeking

Since late 2023, Premarathna had reportedly been seeking political asylum in Canada. He and his family departed to Dubai in December 2023 with intentions to travel to Canada, utilizing his diplomatic passport for the journey. On 27 February 2024, Premarathna resigned from his parliamentary seat while in Canada. The Sunday Times alleged that Premarathna's assassination attempt the previous year was a fabricated attack to strengthen his asylum claim. Premarathna, however, has claimed he is only seeking a work visa.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRef.
2011MahindagamanayaSeru
2013Samanala SandhawaniyaVadisha Wikramanayaka
2014Duwana MuwanAmara
2015Maharaja GemunuKing Dutugamunu
2016PaththiniKovalan
2017Aloko UdapadiKing Valagamba
2017Paha SamathSamath's Father
2019RushRashan 'Rush'
2023Midunu VishwayaVarenya
2024Sihinayaki AdareAjith

Selected television serials

Ahimi as Saman Alupaata HeenaBonda Meedum as SenakaEka Gei Minissu as JagdishFengshui Gedara as NissankaGirikulaHadawila Arana as Sithum SooriyabandaraHansa Pihatu Hopalu Arana as ThugKalu Araliya as WasanthaKapsuwahaskal As ValentaMe Suramya Paradisaya as MahathunMini Gan Dela as AranolisMuthu PalasaPaara Dige as Rehan AluvihareRenagala Walawwa as Malan See Raja as Kashyapa Sihinayaki JeewitheSillara Kasi as NikethaSneha as Adithya

Songs

Adare KalathNethu AddaraMage Wela Mage
  • ''Dase Kalman''