Lawyers will also take the matter up with the broadcast company, he added.Īfter the advertisement was placed in the newspapers some of the artistes had contacted Keerthi Pasqual who heads the Singers Association of Sri Lanka to express concern as some of the popular songs sung by them have been listed for sale.Īmong the songs listed are ‘Ruwata Ruwe’, ‘Sigiri Landune’, and ‘Sovin Bara Nuwan’ of T.M. The action was dismissed and is now in appeal.ĭinal Philips, senior counsel for Mr Malawana, said they hoped to send a protest letter over the advertisement placed. Popular singer Annesley Malawana was the defendant in the case. Wijewardena’s widow and daughter seeking a declaration that they were entitled to the economic and moral rights in respect of the lyrics, music composition and melodies of 39 songs composed by him. Last year, the Western Province Commercial High Court dismissed a case filed by Mr. Hettiarachchi said the family could not engage in legal wrangling every time copyrights were infringed upon in relation to Clearance Wijewradena’s songs and once the agreement was signed, the company would deal with infringements through their legal teams. Jayaratne, Indrani Perera, Mariazella Gunatillake, Annesley Malawana, Anil Bharathi and Milton Mallawaarachchi. Wijewardena but also songs he wrote and composed for other popular singers such as T.M. The songs include not only those sung by Mr. Wijewardena’s widow and daughter live in Australia.
Siri Hettiaratchchi, who holds the power of attorney on behalf of the late singer’s widow Sheela and daughter Amila Priyadharshini, said the agreement to turn over what he says their copyright for a consideration has been finalised and would be signed shortly. The family of late singer, song writer and music composer Clarence Wijewardena has placed newspaper advertisments to sell upto 250 of his songs they claim belong to them to a private broadcasting company in the continuing battle over the rights of the songs.