# Uddika Premarathna

Uddika Premarathna (born 16 September 1980; උද්දික ප්‍රේමරත්න) 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 and the couple has one son, Angsh Prachien, who was born on 24 April 2013.

### 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.

## Career

Premarathna made his cinema debut in 2011 film Buddhist film Mahindagamanaya as a minor role. In 2013, he rose to prominence as the main role in the film 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 the 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 the epic historical film Aloko Udapadi, which was critically acclaimed. In the children's film Paha Samath, Premarathna played the role of Samath's crippled father.
In 2019, Premarathna acted in the 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 the 5th and 6 August 2020 at the North Central Provincial Auditorium, Anuradhapura.

## Post-Political career

Former MP Uddika Premaratna, after resigning from Parliament, is reportedly seeking political asylum in Canada. He and his family departed to Dubai in December with intentions to travel to Canada, utilizing his Diplomatic passport for the journey. On September 18 of the previous year, his vehicle was targeted in a shooting by unidentified assailants, though the police were unable to find those responsible. Speculations suggest that the attack may have been fabricated to strengthen his asylum claim. However he has said its only for work visa.

### Selected television serials

* Ahimi as Saman
* Alupaata Heena
* Bonda Meedum as Senaka
* Eka Gei Minissu as Jagdish
* Fengshui Gedara as Nissanka
* Girikula
* Hadawila Arana as Sithum Sooriyabandara
* Hansa Pihatu
* Hopalu Arana as Thug
* Kalu Araliya as Wasantha
* Kapsuwahaskal As Valenta
* Me Suramya Paradisaya as Mahathun
* Mini Gan Dela as Aranolis
* Muthu Palasa
* Paara Dige as Rehan Aluvihare
* Renagala Walawwa as Malan
* See Raja as Kashyapa
* Sihinayaki Jeewithe
* Sillara Kasi as Niketha
* Sneha as Adithya
* Yasa Isuru

## Political career

In 2020, Premarathna was announced as a candidate for the 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election from the Anuradhapura District as a member of the Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance. He won the election with 133,550 votes and won a seat in the 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka.
Electoral history of Uddika Premarathna :
| Election | Constituency | Party | Party | Alliance | Alliance | Votes | Result |
| 2020 parliamentary | Anuradhapura District | | Jathika Nidahas Peramuna | | Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance | 133,550 | Elected |
Premarathna resigned from his parliamentary seat on February 27, 2024.

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role |
| 2011 | Mahindagamanaya | Seru |
| 2013 | Samanala Sandhawaniya | Vadisha Wikramanayaka |
| 2014 | Duwana Muwan | Amara |
| 2015 | Maharaja Gemunu | King Dutugamunu |
| 2016 | Paththini | Kovalan |
| 2017 | Aloko Udapadi | King Valagamba |
| 2017 | Paha Samath | Samath's Father |
| 2019 | Rush | Rashan 'Rush' |
| 2023 | Midunu Vishwaya | Varenya |
| 2024 | Sihinayaki Adare | Ajith |

## Songs

* Adare Kalath
* Nethu Addara
* Mage Wela Mage
* Dase Kalman

## Awards
### OCIC Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2016 | Samanala Sandhawaniya | Best Actor | Won |

### Sumathi Awards

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2019 | Minigandela | Best Actor | Won |
| 2023 | People's vote | Most Popular Actor | Won |

### Raigam Tele'es

| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2023 | People's vote | Most Popular Actor | Won |