Tele-drama directors claim money not paid for completed episodes

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Three directors of a tele-drama series filed three plaints against Broadcast Solutions Pvt Ltd of Dawson Street, Colombo 2 before the Colombo District Court alleging that they were not paid for the episodes they completed.

Sunil Antony Costa, Pradeep Bulathsinhala and Mangala Fernando, the Director, Camera Director and Art Director of Sihina Wasanthaya tele-drama series in their plaints cited Broadcast Solutions Pvt Ltd as the defendant. The plaintiffs, stated that the defendant failed to pay Rs. 288,000 to S.A. Costa and Rs. 120,000 each to the others for the completed episodes.

The plaintiffs stated that the defendant was a company that produced teledramas and advertisements.

The defendant entered into an agreement on November 20, 2007 to produce a teledrama series under the name Sihina Wasanthaya and it is being telecast since August 10, 2008.

The plaintiffs stated that according to the agreement they could not engage in any other work other than in the Sihina Wasanthaya series.

Director Costa in his plaint stated that he was paid only Rs. 72,000 and he has to obtain another Rs 288,000 from the defendant.

The other plaintiffs said the defendant failed to pay Rs 120,000 each.

The plaintiffs stated that this situation caused damage both to their economy and fame and prayed before the Court to declare that they paid Rs 1.5 million each as compensation along with the due sum.