The Commercial High Court has further extended its Enjoining Order restraining telecasting, exhibiting, displaying or showing the Sinhala film Sujatha.
The Enjoining Order will be effective until February 27.
High Court Judge Ashan R. Marikar made this order consequent to a lawsuit filed by G. R. Pathmaraj, the son of film producer the late K. Gunaratnam. The defendants were directed to file objections before February 27.
The plaintiff cited Tissa Nagodawithana and Movie Producers and Importers Ltd. as defendants.
The plaintiff states that his father, K. Gunaratnam, died on August 9, 1989, leaving a last will and that deceased Gunaratnam, during his lifetime, produced the Sinhala film Sujatha. The plaintiff claims that the late Gunaratnam’s exclusive economic and moral rights were protected during his lifetime and are also protected for 70 years from his death.
He states that during the 1983 communal disturbances, his business establishments were attacked and damaged while valuable articles were removed, stolen or taken away by various persons.
The plaintiff alleged that a few days ago and particularly from January 17, the 1st defendant wrongfully and unlawfully, without any right or entitlement, commenced publishing in newspapers as well as in the media and social media, holding out that the concerned movie Sujatha, which belongs to the late K. Gunaratnam, would be exhibited at the National Film Corporation Theatre on January 21 and in theatres island-wide.
He maintained that the defendants are infringing the rights of the estate of the late Gunaratnam.
The plaintiff maintained that the so-called agreement shown by the defendant is illegal, fraudulent and wrongful as the late Gunaratnam's wife and one of his daughters had no right to transfer the copyright of the film.
President's Counsel S. A. Parathalingam with Niluka Udumulla instructed by Anoma Gunatilake appeared for the plaintiff. Counsel Dhaniya Gunawardane appeared for the defendants.
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