Sri Lanka Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in Sri Lanka, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals.
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Protecting Intellectual Property
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The Sri Lankan government, including its regulatory authorities, generally seek to align domestic practices with their international IP obligations. The IP ecosystem is generally aligned with international standards, and further reforms remain under consideration. Over the last five years, steps have been taken to streamline administrative processes and enhance the legal, technical, and operational capacity of the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO), with the aim of improving overall effectiveness of the system. The government has indicated its intention to accede to the Madrid Protocol, and discussions are ongoing regarding amendment of the Trademark law to facilitate accession. It is also considering the development of a more comprehensive national IP policy. In parallel, several Sri Lankan universities have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, institutional IP policies and establishing technology transfer offices to encourage the commercialization of university-based research. 

NIPO has taken a number of steps to upgrade and modernize its infrastructure. New examiners have been recruited for both trademarks and patents, which has led to a decrease in the backlogs in trademark and patent examination. 
Intellectual property (IP) protection in Sri Lanka is governed by the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003 (“IP Act”) as amended in 2022. Sri Lanka is a signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and also the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The IP Act provides for protection and enforcement mechanisms across the full spectrum of intellectual property rights.

As in any foreign market, U.S. companies operating in Sri Lanka should take proactive steps to protect their intellectual property. For background information and guidance, see the Department of Commerce’s Protecting Intellectual Property resources and visit https://www.stopfakes.gov/welcome. 

The U.S. Department of State’s Investment Climate Statement also provides information on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights in Sri Lanka: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/sri-lanka/
 

IP Attaché Office Contact 
Ms. Shilpi Jha Senior IP Policy Advisor for South Asia
United States Patent and Trademark Office of South Asia
Embassy of the United States of America
The American Center 24 Kasturba Gandhi Marg New Delhi. 110001, India
Tel: +91 11 2347 2000; Email: shilpi.jha@trade.gov
 
For additional information, including the section on intellectual property rights, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Investment Climate Statement website.

Legislative Climate

The Sri Lankan government has taken several steps in recent years to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) system. Sri Lanka is a World Trade Organization (WTO) member and a party to the Paris and Berne Conventions, the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Trademark Law Treaty (TLT), and the Marrakesh VIP Treaty. However, Sri Lanka has not acceded to the WIPO Internet Treaties, which provide legal frameworks for the protection of literary and artistic works and sound recordings in the online environment. The government passed its Intellectual Property Rights Act in 2003. The Act governs copyrights and related rights; industrial designs, patents, trademarks and service marks; trade names, layout designs of integrated circuits, geographical indications, unfair competition and undisclosed information (e.g. trade secrets). 

All trademarks, layout designs of integrated circuits, industrial designs, and inventions sought to be patented must be registered with the Director General of Intellectual Property. Although there are currently no legal provisions for registration of copyrights, literary and artistic works are protected under the Intellectual Property Rights Act by the mere fact of their creation. The Intellectual Property Rights Act may be accessed at: https://www.nipo.gov.lk/web/images/pdf_downloads/Intellectual_Property_Act_No_36_of_2003.pdf. 
The Protection for New Plant Varieties (Breeders rights) Bill drafted in 2001 is still pending approval by the Cabinet. 

The government amended its Information Technology (IT) policy in 2009. The amended IT policy requires government agencies to use only licensed or open-source software. In 2010, the government established a special antipiracy and counterfeit unit in the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the police to specifically address IPR concerns. The CID is the government’s primary investigation arm and was established in 1870. The government has also established an IPR unit in the Social Protection Unit of Sri Lankan Customs to focus on IPR related issues. On November 28, 2024, Sri Lankan Customs officially launched its online IP recording system. The system allows right holders to record their registered trademarks, patents, and industrial designs with Customs authorities, thereby facilitating border enforcement and strengthening the protection of IPR. Once recorded, Customs officials are better equipped to identify and act against suspected infringing goods at the border. However, while the system has been formally launched, it is not yet fully operational in practice.   

Enforcement Climate

Recourse available to IP owners includes injunctive relief, seizure and destruction of infringing goods or implements used for the making of infringing copies, and prohibition of imports and exports. Penalties for the first offence include up to six months imprisonment or a fine of up to LKR 500,000 ($3,200 USD), but smaller penalties are the norm. Sri Lanka’s Customs regulatory code provides ex-officio authority to seize suspected counterfeit shipments at the borders. However, police and Customs authorities generally do not proactively initiate action against IPR violators unless the owner brings it to the authority’s attention and works with them on enforcement actions. In July 2025, for example, a raid on a popular retail outlet  uncovered counterfeit inventory bearing the mark  of a leading U.S. sports apparel brand. Given the continuing risks of counterfeiting, right holders are strongly encouraged to register their intellectual property with Sri Lankan Customs to facilitate enforcement.

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Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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