Shooting incident involving Uddika Premaratne was self-orchestrated :Police

By Sujith Hewajulige   

The incident involving the shooting at the vehicle of actor-turned-politician Uddika Premaratne’ near his residence in Anuradhapura was allegedly orchestrated by the actor himself and an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Talduwa revealed yesterday.  

According to the initial investigation, the said actor had planned the incident together with the ASP, the spokesman said.  

The shooting attack on MP Uddika Premaratne’s vehicle took place on September 17, 2023. The side window of the car was damaged by the gunfire, but the MP was not injured.  
The CID has identified the suspects involved in the incident.  

The Police Media Spokesperson said ASP Sanjeeva Mahanama, the suspect in the case, had left the country without proper authorization from the police department and a separate inquiry will be launched into the matter.  

During the investigation, it was revealed that the ASP had traveled to Malaysia on Tuesday. Additionally, information surfaced indicating that the suspected ASP had visited Katunayake Airport and had his personal firearm, which was issued to him, sent to his workplace through another individual.   

It was emphasized that transferring a police officer’s firearm to someone else’s possession is a punishable offense.