Senior journalist Rajpal Abeynayake alleges that the Booker prize-winning work by Shehan Karunathilaka was based on a story stolen from him.
Joining the ‘Truth with Chamuditha’ program, he said that Shehan Karunathila has no right to earn money by stealing his work and scheduling the same for the Booker awards.
Rajpal said it was his story, which has not yet been published as a book. He sent Shehan Karunathilak the manuscript in 2011 and asked him to find a publisher.
He could prove that he had read the story sent to him and plagiarized it, but he (Rajpal) refused to reveal how.
“When I showed the story I wrote to other critics, they read it and told me it was a terrific story. Following that, I sent the story to Shehan. I didn’t think this man would steal.
In addition, he emphasized that the basic template of this book is his own story. Upon comparing the two stories, readers will realize that it is his own story.
He said so far he has not communicated with Shehan regarding the incident and hopes to take action in the future.
“I will not stop this mission, because there will be a problem with copyright. Acknowledgements have been made to others in the book. But not for me. If they ask me and acknowledge this, there is no problem. Even now, the publisher can do that. The publisher could recall the book from all bookstores. After that, print it again and put an acknowledgement in the book. Or the book can be annulled completely…”
Even if the Booker Prize was lost to a Sri Lankan, he would continue with his efforts if this allegation is proven to be true.
