News
Singers express concern as Clarence Wijewardena family places ad to sell rights of songs claimed
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.
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 late Mr. Wijewardena’s widow and daughter live in Australia.
The songs include not only those sung by Mr. Wijewardena but also songs he wrote and composed for other popular singers such as T.M. Jayaratne, Indrani Perera, Mariazella Gunatillake, Annesley Malawana, Anil Bharathi and Milton Mallawaarachchi.
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.
Last year, the Western Province Commercial High Court dismissed a case filed by Mr. 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.
Popular singer Annesley Malawana was the defendant in the case. The action was dismissed and is now in appeal.
Dinal Philips, senior counsel for Mr Malawana, said they hoped to send a protest letter over the advertisement placed. Lawyers will also take the matter up with the broadcast company, he added.
After 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.
Among the songs listed are ‘Ruwata Ruwe’, ‘Sigiri Landune’, and ‘Sovin Bara Nuwan’ of T.M. Jayaratna, ‘Ruwan Puraya’ ‘Mango Nende’, ‘Udara Niliya’ and ‘Wana Bambaro’ of Annesly Malawana, ‘Eka Dawasak’, ‘Ha Ha Hore Denuna’ and ‘Wasanthaye Mal’ of Indrani Perea, ‘Thanivi Sitinnai’ of Late Milton Mallawaarachchi and songs sung by Priya Suriyasena, Marizel Gunatillake, Lilanthi Karunanayaka and late H.R.Jothipala.