“I Take Full Responsibility” — Upeksha Swarnamali

Recent UNP defector Upeksha Swarnamali, who played “Paba” in the eponymous teledrama, has said she takes “full responsibility” for her actions. UNP MP Rosy Senanayake said she met Swarnamali on Thursday evening as they were shooting for the Megastar programme on Swarnavahini.
Upon being asked by why she had decided to defect, Swarnamali had said, “I take full responsibility for my actions,” according to Senanayake. She added that as she had decided not to contest a second time, she would take what was offered to her. “Her only regret was she felt she didn’t do right by God,” said Senanayake.
The statement comes amidst a multitude of news reports alleging Swarnamali was physically abused by her own husband, who forced her to cross over.
According to the news reports, Swarnamali’s husband physically attacked her and threatened to divorce her if she did not support the 18th Amendment. It was further alleged that UPFA MP Sajin de Vaas Gunawardena offered Swarnamali’s husband Rs. 50 million if he could induce his wife to join the Government. She attended a UNP protest within the parliamentary complex, wearing a black sari, and sporting visible bruises. Immediately after that, it was said she met the President at Temple Trees, accompanied by her husband and MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena. Despite the scrutiny however Swarnamali maintained that the decision to cross over was purely her own on Thursday. Swarnamali’s phone has been switched off over the course of two days when The Sunday Leader attempted to contact her.