CLARENCE WIJEWARDENA'S WIFE, AGAINST RAJEEV

Rajeev earns money saying 'Tribute to Clarence'
- Complaint from Clarence's wife Sheela

     Sheela, wife of popular singer, Late Clarence Wijewardena is someone who is fighting for the Intellectual Property Rights of Clarence.

     The musical show which Rajeev Sebastian wanted to hold on March 31st at Nelum Pokuna had to be cancelled on the protest of Sheela. However, once again Rajeev has wanted to hold the show in the month of April, this time with a different facelift. But again it was cancelled. Not only musical creations of Clarence, even if Clarence's name is used for any musical activity, it should be so done with prior consent of the party representing Clarence according to Sheela and this prohibition order has been instituted through Siri Hettiarachchi with his Power of Attorney appearing in Sri Lanka.

     Whatever it is, Rajeev who has not given up the attempt of holding the Clarence show is trying to creep through the law and conduct the show with a new facelift. It is reported that Sheela is to come to Sri Lanka and take action against him.Sheela who expresses her ideas in this respect to a weekend newspaper says:

     We will be taking legal action on behalf of Clarence Wijewardena's Intellectual Property. Those who are unaware of the correct facts think about this from a wrong perspective and express wrong views about it. What we do is protect Clarence's Intellectual Property under the legal cover we have in this respect. We won't hesitate to institute legal measures to whoever it is who uses Clarence's musical creations without proper consent, by force, in an unjustified manner and in an immodest way. In such a case we have to take action by paying special attention such shows as Rajeev Sebastian's 'Tribute to Clarence' etc.

     It is because Rajeev Sebastian says that he would be holding a show inclusive of Clarence's songs and thus is cheating male and female singers as well as fans by issueing tickets. He can't conduct such musical shows. What Rajeev does is utter cheating. How many tributes have we ourselves have held on behalf of Clarence? Those are stories which he says in order to sing Clarence's songs. When we are still there, why do others try to hold shows by force? Rajeev is a person who neither associated Clarence nor even stepped into our house when Clarence was living. Clarence had not made or given a single song to Rajeev. Why then does such a person want to hold a concert of tribute to Clarence? Anybody can understand this. Actually, what Rajeev wants is to earn money by selling name and his musical creations under the pretext of giving Clarence a tribute.

    It has been said that some distinguished artistes including T.M.Jayaratne, Nihal Nelson and Jackson Anthony are to sing at this show. Though their names have been mentioned, we don't think any of them would come to the show to sing songs made for them by Clarence. We are definite that T.M.Jayaratne would never appear to sing at the show however much he is paid. When we asked T.M. he said so. When asked from Jackson, what he said was, 'Ane Sheela akke ..... I have not been even told .... I don't even know'. In the same way, Shyami Fonseka and Lankika Perera said that they would not be attending the show.

     As for Rajeev himself and on whatever date he holds the show, singing songs belonging to Clarence is totally prohibited to any male or female singer. If such songs are sung, we would be taking legal action. Rajeev has never met Clarence. Clarence has told when he was living that if he had a son, he would not let his son sing songs of his and that he doesn't like his songs being sung by anybody. If Clarence who said that still lives, will he like Rajeev singing his songs? I challenge anybody to prove that these claims are false. If Clarence is the hero of Rajeev's musical life, I ask whether this is the way to treat Clarence; by plundering his Intellectual Property.

     Even before this, when the case we filed earlier against Rajeev was called, he acknowledged his fault and agreed to pay 20 lakhs. Not only hasn't he paid that money until today, he has cheated by presenting a cheque for half that amount (Rs.2,50,000)  and he is now giving a tribute to his hero (Clarence). When these facts have now come to light, I request all who sang Clarence's tunes, lyrics etc, inclusive of all his fans appreciating his music not to be led astray by Rajeev".