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Who alerted ASP Mahanama of his impending arrest over A’pura shooting incident?

Published

2 years ago

2024/06/20

Sahan Weerasooriya

Uddika Premaratne

Actor-turned politician Uddika’s bid to switch allegiance to JJB thwarted

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Ongoing investigation into firing a couple of gun shots at Anuradhapura District actor turned SLPP MP Uddika Premaratne’s vehicle last September has revealed that ASP Anuradhapura Sanjiva Mahanama fired at the car after the lawmaker got out of the vehicle and entered his house at Lahiru grounds, Anuradhapura.

The officer had used the personal weapon issued to him by the police department and subsequently handed it over to police claiming a defect and obtained another weapon, according to the investigation. The attack had been staged by the lawmaker and the police officer and there was absolutely no evidence to suggest the involvement of another party.

Police spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa told The Island that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was on the verge of taking ASP Mahanamna into custody when he fled the country. “We are aware he took a flight to Malaysia about a week ago but his current whereabouts are not known,” attorney-at-law Thalduwa said.

Responding to another query, the top official admitted that ASP Mahanama appeared to have been tipped off by a person/persons aware of the breakthrough made by the investigators. According to him, the ASP’s complicity in the incident had been established and there was no ambiguity whatsoever in that regard.

First time entrant to Parliament at the 2020 August general election contested Anuradhapura district on the SLPP ticket. The actor was one of the five National Freedom Front (NFF) members elected to parliament while its sole appointee to parliament Mohamed Muzamil was appointed through the SLPP National List.

Premaratne resigned in late February this year. S. C. Muthukumarana of SLPP filled the vacancy created by Premaratne’s resignation.

Initial reports regarding the incident suggested that the MP’s vehicle had been targeted by a group of gunmen. However, the CID investigation has revealed that ASP Mahanama arrived at the scene in a Honda Civic registered in his name and then as arranged fired at Uddika’s car parked at Lahiru grounds.

Ex-Flying Officer Keerthi Ratnayake, who had inquired into and reported on several major incidents, including 2019 Easter Sunday carnage disclosed in an interview with Chamuditha Samarawickrema that the Honda Civic had since been sold by the law enforcement officer.

Appearing on ‘Truth with Chamuditha,’ Ratnayake alleged that then MP Premaratne’s actions had been politically motivated and in line with his strategy to create environment conducive for him to switch his allegiance to Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB). Securing political asylum for his family in Canada appeared to be a secondary requirement, Ratnayake said, underscoring the responsibility on the part of law enforcement authorities to conduct a no holds barred investigation.

Pressed to explain, referring to authoritative sources, Ratnayake claimed that the top SLPP leadership had demanded that Premaratne quit his seat or face the consequences in case he switched his allegiance to the JJB.

According to Ratnayake, between the incident in September last year and his resignation, Premaratne accompanied his family to Canada but returned later leaving them there. Ratnayake maintained that the former MP’s primary objective had been to join the JJB claiming that he was targeted by the ‘system.’

Ratnayake said that at the time of the incident on the night of September 17 at 10.30, the MP’s police bodyguard hadn’t been with him.

Asked whether ASP Mahanama had been transferred to Police Garage following a spate of complaints against him, Ratnayake said that the officer was able to secure a transfer back to Anuradhapura as a result of pressure being exerted by some Anuradhapura based monks and the SLPP.

Ratnayake also revealed the alleged involvement of the missing ASP Mahanama with Chairman of Aura Lanka Chairman Viranjith Thambugala, who had been arrested in respect of a complaint regarding the misappropriation of Rs 70 mn but was granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate.

Ratnayake discussed the role played by an attack on Surakimu Lanka Organization President Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera in the Rajanganaya last February when he was there to inspect Aloe Vera plantation belonging to Thambugala. The police never conducted a proper investigation into that incident, Ratnayake said, adding that the ASP and some SLPP lawmakers and others in Anuradhapura had been involved in nefarious activities.

The ASP’s involvement in the politically motivated shooting incident staged by the then MP Premaratne wouldn’t have been properly investigated if not for the IGP directing the CID to take over the inquiry.

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

8 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.