The Colombo Commercial High Court has issued an injunction preventing the film, which was titled 'Rizana: A Caged Bird' (now titled 'Rihanna'), from being exhibited, released, distributed, broadcast, sold or used in any other way commercially. The Colombo Commercial High Court Judge, Amali Ranaweera, has issued the injunction against Jagath Sumathipala and Sumathi Studios. The order was issued after considering a complaint filed by renowned film director and co-producer Chandran Ratnam.
The plaintiff alleges that the defendants are attempting to use the film commercially by changing its name, altering its content and assigning the creative rights to other parties without his knowledge or authority.
The complaint further states that the film is being directed, produced and written by individuals other than the plaintiff, and that the film is being altered, reshot or transferred to third parties.
Appearing for the plaintiff, President's Counsel Upul Jayasuriya, while presenting evidence before the court, stated that the original concept, direction and co-production of the film are an incomparable creative vision and artistic expression of Chandran Ratnam.
The film 'Rizana: A Caged Bird' is based on the tragic story of Rizana Nafeek, a Sri Lankan underage domestic worker who was sentenced to death for an incident that occurred there while working in Saudi Arabia.