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Uddika Premarathna

{{short description|Sri Lankan actor and politician}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix = Hon.

| name = Uddika Premarathna

| native_name = උද්දික ප්‍රේමරත්න

| image =

| caption =

| constituency_MP1 = Anuradhapura District

| parliament1 = Sri Lanka

| term_start1 = 20 August 2020

| majority1 = 133,550 Preferential Votes

| term_end1 = 27 February 2024

| predecessor1 =

| successor1 = Sarath Chandrasiri Muthukumarana

| office =

| order =

| president =

| primeminister =

| term_start =

| term_end =

| predecessor =

| successor =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|09|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Sri Lankan

| occupation = Politician

| education = St Joseph's College, Anuradhapura

| party = Jathika Nidahas Peramuna{{cite web |url=http://sinhala.adaderana.lk/sports/121637/තෝරාගත-යුතු-එකම-නායකයා-ගෝඨාභය-රංගන-ශිල්පී-උද්දික |title=The only leader to choose is Gotabhaya-actor Uddika |publisher=Ada Derana |access-date=18 January 2018}}

| otherparty = Supreme Lanka Coalition (since 2022)
Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance (2019–2022)

| height = 1.75 m

| residence =

| spouse = Anusha Kumari Pannala

| children = 1

| alma_mater =

| profession = Actor, singer

| signature =

| website = {{URL|uddikapremarathna.com}}

| footnotes =

}}

File:Uddika_Premarathna.jpg

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.nfc.gov.lk/artist/uddika-premarathne-204/|title=Uddika Premarathne |publisher=National film corporation of Sri Lanka|access-date=30 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.films.lk/sinhala-cinema-artist-uddika-premarathna-4940.html|title=Uddika Premarathna filmography |publisher=Digital Identity of Sinhala Cinema|access-date=7 August 2020}}

Personal life

Premarathna is married to Anusha Kumari Pannala and the couple has one son, Angsh Prachien, who was born on 24 April 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.9lanka.com/hot_lanka/show.php?id=54716 |title=Uddika speaks about his love to son |publisher=9lanka |access-date=7 August 2020}}

=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.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-18 |title=Sri Lankan MP escapes assassination attempt |url=https://www.newsfirst.lk/2023/09/18/sri-lankan-mp-escapes-assassination-attempt/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst |language=en}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://cinema.lk/uddika-new-movie/ |title=It doesn't matter if it is a movie, a small screen or a stage – Uddika Premaratne |date=22 October 2013 |publisher=cinema.lk |access-date=18 January 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.divaina.com/2013/05/19/cineart01.html|title=The aesthetic flair of a great filmmaker |publisher=Divaina |access-date=7 August 2020}} The film successfully completed 100 days in theaters.{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2014/01/30/?fn=sa1401305 |title=Samanala Sandhawaniya celebrates 100 days|publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=20 October 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://gossiplankalive1.blogspot.com/2013/05/uddika-premarathna-talk-about-samanala.html|title=Uddika Premarathna Talk About Samanala Sandhawaniya Movie |publisher=gossiplankalive1|access-date=7 August 2020}}

Premarathna was nominated for "Most Popular Actor" at the 2014 Hiru Golden Film Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.saaravita.lk/latest_news/594276/ජනප්%E2%80%8Dරියම-නළුවා-උද්දික-ජ |title=Popular Actor Uddika and Popular Actress Pooja |publisher=saaravita |access-date=18 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://hirugoldenfilmawards.lk/nominated-actors.html|title=Nominated Actors – Super Five|publisher=Asian Broadcasting Corporation|work=Hiru Golden Film Awards|access-date=10 July 2016}} He also won "Best Actor" at the 2014 Sumathi Awards for his performance.{{cite web|language=si|url=http://dinamina.lk/?q=2015/11/30/%E0%B6%B4%E0%B7%94%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A/%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%9C%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%93%E0%B7%83%E0%B7%8A-%E0%B6%8B%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%AD%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%A0%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%BB-2015-%E0%B7%83%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8A%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B1-%E0%B6%8B%E0%B7%85%E0%B7%99%E0%B6%BD-%E0%B6%85%E0%B6%B7%E0%B7%92%E0%B6%B8%E0%B7%8F%E0%B6%B1%E0%B7%80%E0%B6%AD%E0%B7%8A%E0%B7%80|title=සිග්නීස් උත්තමාචාර 2015 සම්මාන උළෙල අභිමානවත්ව|date=30 November 2015|access-date=1 July 2016}}

In 2015, Premarathna was cast for the role of King Dutugemunu in the blockbuster film Maharaja Gemunu directed by Jayantha Chandrasiri.{{cite web |url=https://www.divaina.com/2015/02/08/meewitha01.html |title=Words cannot describe the mood I felt |publisher=Divaina |access-date=7 August 2020}} The film was awarded Most Popular Movie at the 2016 Hiru Golden Film Awards.{{cite web|url=http://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2015/01/25/mon30.asp|title=Extraordinary cinematic experience |publisher=Sunday Observer|access-date=7 August 2020}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/news-features/-Aloko-Udapadi-The-light-THAT-ALMOST-AROSE/131-128579|title=Aloko Udapadi – The light that almost arose |publisher=Daily Mirror|access-date=7 August 2020}} In the children's film Paha Samath, Premarathna played the role of Samath's crippled father.{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2018/01/18/?fn=sa18011823 |title=Paha Samath but we failed – The review |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=18 January 2018}}

In 2019, Premarathna acted in the thriller action film Rush as the lead character, Rashan 'Rush' Wijemanna.{{cite web |url=https://mawbima.lk/entertainment/1/entertainment-more/26 |title=RUSH is the latest revolution in Sinhala cinema |publisher=Mawbima |access-date=18 January 2018}} He described the role as completely different from his previous roles, most of which were Sinhalese kings and monarchs.{{cite web |url=http://webgossip.lk/මේක-අපේ-රට-මේක-නැති-වෙයි-කි/|title=This is my country |date=5 November 2019 |publisher=webgossip |access-date=7 August 2020}}

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, Anuradhapura.{{cite web |url=http://www.dinamina.lk/2020/02/10/පුවත්/89910/උද්දික-ප්%E2%80%8Dරේමරත්නගෙන්-අනුරාධපුරයට-කලා-වැඩමුළු-මාලාවක්|title=A series of art workshops from Uddika Premaratne to Anuradhapura |publisher=Dinamina |access-date=7 August 2020}}

Post-Political career

Former MP Uddika Premaratna, after resigning from Parliament, is reportedly seeking political asylum{{Cite web|date=2024-02-29 |title=Uddika seeks political asylum in Canada |url=https://english.theleader.lk/news/7869-uddika-seeks-political-asylum-in-canada |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=english.theleader.lk |language=en-gb}} 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 18 September 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{{Cite web |title=Former MP set to seek asylum in Canada |url=https://sundaytimes.lk/online/news-online/Former-MP-set-to-seek-asylum-in-Canada/2-1145162 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=Times Online |language=English}} to strengthen his asylum claim. However he has said its only for work{{Cite web |title=Uddika says he is looking to get work Visa in Canada - Breaking News {{!}} Daily Mirror |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Uddika-says-he-is-looking-to-get-work-Visa-in-Canada/108-278213 |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=www.dailymirror.lk |language=English}} visa.

=Selected television serials=

{{Div col|colwidth=25em}}

  • Ahimi as Saman
  • Alupaata Heena
  • Bonda Meedum as Senaka
  • Eka Gei Minissu as Jagdish{{cite web |url=https://www.silumina.lk/2017/02/18/රසඳුන/මුහුණට-මුහුණ|title=Face to Face |publisher=Silumina |access-date=7 August 2020}}
  • Fengshui Gedara as Nissanka
  • Girikula{{cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/sri-lanka/daily-mirror-sri-lanka/20130318/282935267768451 | title=Girikula now in editing process | publisher=Daily Mirror | access-date=30 July 2019}}
  • Hadawila Arana as Sithum Sooriyabandara
  • Hansa Pihatu
  • Hopalu Arana as Thug
  • Kalu Araliya as Wasantha
  • Kapsuwahaskal As Valenta
  • Me Suramya Paradisaya{{cite web | url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2012/03/01/_art.asp?fn=sa12030124&pn=20 | title=Me Suramya Paradisaya by Sahan | publisher=Sarasaviya | access-date=15 August 2019}} as Mahathun
  • Mini Gan Dela as Aranolis{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2018/06/07/?fn=sa18060711 |title=Mini Gan Dela on Sirasa |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=20 October 2017}}
  • Muthu Palasa
  • Paara Dige as Rehan Aluvihare
  • Renagala Walawwa as Malan {{Cite web |title=This teledrama became colorful because of Sarath: 'Ranagala Walawwa' Director Chandana Dharmapriya |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/teledramas/2021/04/22/20310/සරත්-අයියා-නිසා-මේ-ටෙලි-නාට්%E2%80%8Dයය-වර්ණවත්-වුණා |access-date=2021-04-12 |website=Sarasaviya}}
  • See Raja as Kashyapa
  • Sihinayaki Jeewithe{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2012/07/19/?fn=sa12071914 |title=Sihinayaki Jeewithe on screen |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=17 November 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2012/07/19/?fn=sa12071914 |title=Dreams are delicious places on the scene of life |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=17 November 2017}}
  • Sillara Kasi{{cite web |url=http://www.lankadeepa.lk/latest_news/ඇගයීමට-ලක්වීම-තරම්-කලාකරැවෙක්-සතුටු-වෙන-අවස්ථාවක්-නැති-තරම්/1-432985 |title=There is hardly an occasion when an artist is happier than being appreciated |publisher=Lankadeepa |access-date=7 August 2020}} as Niketha
  • Sneha as Adithya
  • Yasa Isuru

{{Div col end}}

Political career

In 2020, Premarathna was announced as a candidate for the 2020 Sri Lankan parliamentary election{{cite web |url=http://www.aruna.lk/රංගන-ශිල්පී-උද්දික-අනුරප/ |title=Actor Uddika starts his election campaign from Anuradhapura |date=26 June 2020 |publisher=Aruna |access-date=7 August 2020}} from the Anuradhapura District as a member of the Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance.{{cite web |url=https://cmev.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/anuradhapura.pdf |title=Parliamentary Election – 2020 |publisher=cmev |access-date=7 August 2020}}{{cite web |url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/65228/president-joins-slpp-campaign-from-anuradhapura |title=President joins SLPP campaign from Anuradhapura |publisher=Ada Derana |access-date=7 August 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nominee.lk/nominee/anuradhapura/uddika-premarathna |title=Nominee Uddika Premarathna |publisher=nominee |access-date=7 August 2020}} He won the election with 133,550 votes and won a seat in the 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka.{{cite web |url=http://www.newswire.lk/2020/08/07/anuradhapura-sm-chandrasena-tops-actor-uddika-wins-no-place-for-harrison-chandrani-bandara/ |title=Anuradhapura : SM Chandrasena tops, Actor Uddika wins, No place for Harrison & Chandrani Bandara |date=7 August 2020 |publisher=newswire |access-date=7 August 2020}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"

|+ Electoral history of Uddika Premarathna

! scope=col|Election

! scope=col|Constituency

! scope=col colspan="2"|Party

! scope=col colspan="2"|Alliance

! scope=col|Votes

! scope=col|Result

2020 parliamentaryAnuradhapura Districtstyle="background:{{party color|Jathika Nidahas Peramuna}};"|Jathika Nidahas Peramunastyle="background:{{party color|Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance}};"|Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliancealign=right|{{Nts|133,550}}Elected

Premarathna resigned from his parliamentary seat on 27 February 2024.

Filmography

class="wikitable sortable"

|+

Year

! Film

! Role

! Ref.

2011MahindagamanayaSeru
2013Samanala SandhawaniyaVadisha Wikramanayaka{{cite web|language=si|url=http://cinema.lk/uddika-new-movie/ |title=සිනමාවද, පුංචි තිරයද, වේදිකාවද කියලා වෙනසක් නෑ – උද්දික ප්‍රේමරත්න|date=22 October 2013|access-date=1 July 2016}}
2014Duwana MuwanAmara{{cite web | url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/141214/magazine/teaching-through-the-cinema-132095.html | title=Teaching through the cinema | publisher=The Sunday Times | access-date=1 March 2017}}
2015Maharaja GemunuKing Dutugamunu{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2015/01/22/?fn=sa15012236 |title=Its my luck to be the king |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=11 March 2017}}
2016PaththiniKovalan{{cite web|language=si|url=http://www.dinamina.lk/?q=2016/06/07/17346|title=ෆැන්ටසියක අරුමැසි බව|date=7 June 2016|access-date=1 July 2016}}
2017Aloko UdapadiKing Valagamba{{cite news|title=World premiere for 'Aloka Udapadi' at IFFI {{!}} The Sunday Times Sri Lanka|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/161127/magazine/world-premiere-for-aloka-udapadi-at-iffi-217866.html|work=www.sundaytimes.lk}}
2017Paha SamathSamath's Father{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/2017/08/24/?fn=sa1708241 |title=Tear falling cinema about a village boy|publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=26 August 2017}}
2019RushRashan 'Rush'{{cite web |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/films-local/2019/09/26/9607/අනාගතය-අයිති-සිනමාකරුවකුගේ-ආගමනය |title=Rush film crew |publisher=Sarasaviya |access-date=26 September 2019}}
2023Midunu VishwayaVarenya{{cite web | url=https://www.dailynews.lk/2019/08/06/entertainment/193148/‘frozen-cosmos’-enter-reel | title='Frozen Cosmos' to enter the reel | work=Daily News | access-date=13 July 2020}}
2024Sihinayaki AdareAjith

Songs

  • Adare Kalath
  • Nethu Addara{{cite web |url=https://music.hirufm.lk/song-details-4774-nethu-addara-uddika-premarathna.html |title=Nethu Addara – Uddika Premarathna |publisher=Hiru FM |access-date=7 August 2020}}
  • Mage Wela Mage{{cite web|url=http://www.ananmanan.lk/free-sinhala-mp3/artist/1631/uddika-premarathna-sinhala-mp3-songs.html |title=Uddika Premarathna Songs Free Download ~ Uddika Premarathna Sinhala Songs ~ Sinhala MP3 by Uddika Premarathna |website=Ananmanan.lk |access-date=9 July 2016}}
  • Dase Kalman

Awards

=OCIC Awards=

{{Awards table}}

|-

|| 2016 ||| Samanala Sandhawaniya || Best Actor || {{won}}

{{End}}

=Sumathi Awards=

{{Awards table}}

|-

|| 2019 ||| Minigandela || Best Actor{{cite web|title=Sumathi Award winners 2019 |url=http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news-features/2019/10/31/11638/2019-සුමති-සම්මාන|publisher=Sarasaviya}} || {{won}}

|-

|| 2023 ||| People's vote || Most Popular Actor || {{won}}

{{End}}

=Raigam Tele'es=

{{Awards table}}

|-

|| 2023 ||| People's vote || Most Popular Actor || {{won}}

{{End}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{IMDb name|5324158|Uddika Premarathna}}
  • [https://archive.ceylontoday.lk/features-more/3828 Rush Over to Watch Rush]
  • [http://www.sarasaviya.lk/news/2019/10/10/10486/පහරේ-සැර පහරේ සැර]
  • [http://www.sarasaviya.lk/interviews/2019/06/06/5850/සුපිරි-තරුව-රන්ජන්-මතු-දකින-තරු-10-ක්-ගැන-කියයි සුපිරි තරුව රන්ජන් මතු දකින තරු 10 ක් ගැන කියයි]
  • [http://archives.sarasaviya.lk/2014/09/25/?fn=sa1409254 සදේශ්ගේ අලුත් චිත්‍රපටය දිගටම වැඩ]

{{authority control}}

{{Members of 16th Parliament of Sri Lanka}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Premarathna, Uddika}}

Category:1980 births

Category:Sri Lankan male film actors

Category:Living people

Category:People from Anuradhapura

Category:20th-century Sri Lankan male actors

Category:Sri Lankan male television actors

Category:Sri Lankan Buddhists