The Hon. Dinesh Hemantha

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, after 76 years of successive misgovernance pushing the country to its lowest rung and piling problems on society, the very architects of those problems now keep questioning us on solutions. Our reformist government is taking a vital step today to protect another segment of our people—by operationalizing GI regulations long delayed under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003. Exporters suffered for decades without these; today, after 25–30 years, we create the opportunity.

¶ 02 Section 101 of the 2003 Act defines GIs as indications identifying goods as originating in a territory, region, or locality where a given quality, reputation, or characteristic is essentially attributable to that origin.

¶ 03 At the 1994 Uruguay Round, GATT became the WTO in 1995 and the TRIPS Agreement came in. That opened the global GI discourse. While the world reaped GI benefits from 1995, Sri Lankan people and exporters waited 30 years due to inaction of successive rulers. Today, we are providing firm solutions.

¶ 04 Although the 2022 Amendment recognized the framework, past governments failed to bring the necessary regulations. In 2025, we are operationalizing them.

¶ 05 A global example: Colombia faced volatility in coffee prices. In 2005 it leveraged its traditional figure Juan Valdez and registered “Café de Colombia” as a GI. Within about 20 years it became a top global brand with significantly increased revenues.

¶ 06 Likewise, under GIs we can bring many Sri Lankan region-specific goods: beyond cinnamon and curd (e.g., from the South and Kantale), sapphires (notably high-carbon-value gems from Laggala), Dumbara mats, Radawadunna cane crafts, Ambalangoda masks, and palm-based products. GI goods typically fetch 20%–50% higher prices.

¶ 07 Responding also to other issues raised: some claim export growth is blocked by “ideologues” who resisted land law reforms and labour law relaxations. Historically, land belonged to rulers who parceled it among cronies; we opposed land reforms that simply reallocated to cliques. Land should go to the true tillers, not a privileged few. On labour, we reject models built on exploitation. Our vision is a production economy with incomes distributed fairly, reducing disparities.

¶ 08 On vehicle imports: after five years of a ban, taking a first step requires balance. We must protect limited dollar reserves to avoid inflationary spirals through fuel and input cost surges that would erode export competitiveness and risk a repeat of the 2022 crisis. Hence we will manage imports prudently while supporting sectors dependent on the motor trade.

¶ 09 To the Opposition: you lack insight into our plans. In due course, as our strategies bear fruit, you will understand. Thank you.