The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to amend the Intellectual Properties Act No. 36 of 2003, in order to protect Sri Lankan exports.

“There are a number of local products that can be promoted as geographically unique. Such products face big competition from counterfeit imitations in the local as well as foreign markets. It has been identified that it is appropriate to register such products in Sri Lanka as geographical indicators,” the state information office said.

Hence, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by Trade Minister to advise the Legal Draftsman to draft a bill to amend the Intellectual Properties Act No. 36 of 2003, with the provisions to establish a comprehensive and definitive legal framework for the registration of geographical indications in Sri Lanka.