Suspended term and fine for pirating songs

M. Sunil Dharmapala a local businessman, of Pitumpe, Padukka who was found guilty of pirating songs composed by veteran artistes, the late Mahagama Sekera and Prof. Sunil Ariyaratne and sung by popular vocalist, Nanda Malini, was fined Rs. 5 lakhs and given a five-year suspended jail term, by Maligakanda Magistrate, Krishanthi Dodangoda.

The accused was charged by the Dematagoda police under the provisions of the Intellectual Property Act, for producing and selling two CDs titled, Galana Gangaki Jeevithe and Sannaliyane and also for selling the recorded songs of Sarungale film without obtaining the copy rights.

Pirated CDs and VCDs were seized by the police at a sale at the Colombo Public Library recently. Attorney-at-Law, Ajith Pathirana appeared for the prosecution while Attorney-at-Law, Sripathi Dias defended.