The Hon. (Prof.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna - Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, today we are debating regulations made under the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003, for the registration of geographical indications. I must ask whether we have done justice to this subject today. The core purpose of these regulations is to prevent unauthorized use, preserve the reputation and economic value of products, and certify the authenticity of such products.

¶ 02 Geographical indications have a long history. In the time of King Devanampiyatissa, Emperor Ashoka of India sent a message appreciating the gemstones of Lanka, saying India did not have gems like these. So, in essence, Sri Lankan gems already held a kind of geographical indication. History worldwide shows similar patterns. The concept of geographical indications has changed world history. In 1453 when the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople—the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire—overland trade routes to Europe were disrupted. Muslim trading communities had brought spices from the East to Europe. With the overland route blocked, European nations, especially Portugal, sought new sea routes to the East. Vasco da Gama came to India first stating he sought spices. Thus, the global demand for Eastern spices—India, Sri Lanka, and other East Asian islands—drove these explorations.

¶ 03 The Portuguese first took cinnamon from Sri Lanka. In early treaties, cinnamon was the key exchange medium—like the dollar today—due to immense demand. Therefore, we must take geographical indications seriously; they helped change world history. It is regrettable that although our Intellectual Property Act came in 2003, we have taken until 2025 to bring these relevant regulations.

¶ 04 Once we complete this process, beyond “Ceylon Tea” and “Ceylon Cinnamon,” we can add more products. For example, cashew from Anamaduwa is of exceptional quality—what place has it achieved internationally? We import Basmati from India, Pakistan, and elsewhere, but Kurunegala’s Karuwalagaswewa grows excellent varieties—what global space have they secured? There is high demand for Kalubulath (black chewing betel) from Nawagaththegama; orchids and special flowers from the Polonnaruwa, Kumaragama flower village—but we have failed to secure international markets for them. Likewise, a distinct chili-growing belt exists in Nawagaththegama with special qualities, yet we seldom recognize or discuss these. Through standardizing and recognizing these under geographical indications, we can create value and markets for them—including fruits like guava and pomegranate from Kalpitiya.

¶ 05 We also know of outstanding pottery industries and clay products from Uduwalawe, Kelaniya, and Panduwasnuwara. While these products are little used domestically, internationally we can carve a special market niche through these regulations. Similarly, in Pilimathalawa brassware, and Weweldeniya cane products, recognizing their geographical indication will add value and benefit those producer communities.

¶ 06 We spoke about coconut. There is high international demand for clean, white coconut oil. Prof. Kapila Senewirathna of the Department of Chemistry, University of Kelaniya, has conducted significant research. Have we effectively presented these findings to the world? If we do so—especially on white coconut oil—we can gain special value.