ROBIN MILLAR SINGER MANJULA ARIARATNAM FOUND GUILTY OF CONTEMPT

With the prospect of a prison sentence looming over her, Melbourne singer/songwriter Manjula Ariaratnam was found to be in contempt of Court for failing to disclose documents relating to the partnership/band Manjari as Ordered by the Honourable Justice Patten.

The case related to the partnership of the Australian band Manjari, which was formed between Adam Lee and Manjula Ariaratnam in 2004. British producer, songwriter and musician Adam Lee, who now resides in Melbourne, has been in the music business some 25 years and has worked with many leading artists including: Bjork, Jesus Jones, Then Jericho, Skin Games, Let Loose etc, was shocked to discover that after working 18 months together, holding meetings with his Sydney contacts and showcasing etc., the songs he had written, recorded, produced, with Manjula Ariaratnam for their partnership/ band Manjari, had been taken behind his back and, without his knowledge and consent, were sent by Manjula Ariaratnam and her Australian solicitor Paul O’Gorman to amongst others, one of Adam’s contacts, the renowned UK producer and Music Producer Guild (MPG) Chairman, Robin Millar. (Sade, Everything But The Girl)

After clinching Millar’s interest with partnership songs, Ms Ariaratnam then left Australia and went to see Robin Millar, to produce tracks for an album under the partnership/bands name and goodwill etc., Manjari, without the consent of Adam Lee, which Adam Lee and Manjula Ariaratnam had been working on and planned for their Manjari album.

In an attempt to intimidate and frighten Adam Lee off, Robin Millar threatened to defame Adam Lee’s good name and reputation, throughout the Australian and UK Music Industry if he (Adam Lee) did not “back off” and stop pursuing what was his legal rights thus taking away Adam’s livelihood.

During the course of the hearing before the Honourable Mr Justice Kitchen in the High Court of Justice, London, England, Miss Ariaratnam humbly apologised to the Court having admitted being in contempt of Court. In summing up, his Lordship stated "Nevertheless it is very important that compliance of Court Orders is of the utmost importance [Miss Ariaratnam's] failure to comply is a very serious matter … It does seem to me that in many material respects and in a grievous way [Miss Ariaratnam] avoided something [she] was plainly bound to do. In all the circumstances I order the costs to the Applicant (Adam Lee on behalf of the partnership Manjari) on an indemnity basis as her conduct is not the norm … It is appropriate in these circumstances to show the disapproval of the Court and the costs awarded is more than justified.

Adam Lee, on behalf of himself and the partnership Manjari, is now considering taking proceedings in the High Court of Justice London England for damages and declarations against Ms Manjula Ariaratnam in relation to her contemptible behaviour and the substantive damage caused for passing-off herself as the band Manjari and is also considering suing the renowned British record producer, Robin Millar who has been involved with this most unfortunate incident by procuring Manjula Ariaratnam to leave Adam Lee and splitting up the partnership/band known as Manjari.