In a shocking revelation, the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) last week announced that Sri Lanka has yet to receive an application to register Ceylon Tea as a Geographical Indication (GI), despite the country’s globally recognised 159-year tea heritage.
Responding to a question posed at the Sri Lanka-USA Business Council (SLUSABC) breakfast forum on ‘The IP Trade Corridor – Strengthening US-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership through Intellectual Property Protection,’ NIPO Director – Information and Examination Nalinda Atapattu disclosed that many iconic Sri Lankan products have yet to benefit from GI protection.
‘The NIPO has not yet received an application from the Sri Lanka Tea Board to register Ceylon Tea as a GI,’ he answered, insisting the need for industries to take the lead in protecting products with strong geographic identities.
He called on both policymakers and industry stakeholders to accelerate efforts to secure international protection for ‘uniquely Sri Lankan products’ to carve out a sustainable, niche market if the country aims to boost its competitiveness and sustain the global export market.
Atapattu explained that GI differs fundamentally from trademarks because they are collective intellectual property (IP) rights rather than assets owned by individual companies.
‘It is important to understand that GIs are not owned by individual businesses, they are collective rights that protect entire producer communities,’ he said.
As a result, he stressed that producer associations, industry bodies, and other stakeholders must first reach consensus and develop a common strategy before applying for GI registration.
Atapattu said the country’s GI framework remains at an early stage of development. ‘Sri Lanka established its GIs framework only recently, and we are still at an early stage,’ he added.
In February 2022, the European Union (EU) granted Ceylon Cinnamon GI status, marking Sri Lanka’s first-ever GI certification.
However, Atapattu noted that many other iconic Sri Lankan products have yet to benefit from similar protection, including Ceylon Sapphire and other unique gemstones.
In June 2026, the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the Industry Ministry, with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) ,unveiled the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) 2026-2030. Accordingly, exports are positioned as the main driver of growth, with targets of 14-15% of GDP and $ 36 billion in total exports by 2030, comprising $ 28 billion in merchandise exports and over $ 8 billion in services exports.
He identified two key priorities for Sri Lanka to strengthen protection for country-specific products.
‘The first is greater recognition among policymakers of the strategic value of GIs in enhancing export competitiveness, protecting product authenticity, and creating greater value for producers. The second is for industries themselves to organise collectively and initiate the registration process, rather than relying solely on Government agencies,’ he said.
Atapattu also disclosed that the NIPO is working towards Sri Lanka’s accession to the Lisbon Agreement, an international treaty that facilitates the protection and recognition of GIs and appellations of origin across member countries.
Joining the Agreement, he said, would strengthen international recognition of Sri Lanka’s GI indications and provide stronger protection for products with unique geographic origins in overseas markets.
His remarks come amid growing global emphasis on IP provisions in modern free trade agreements (FTAs), where GIs have become an increasingly important tool for protecting nationally distinctive products and enhancing their commercial value in international markets.