📈 Kandy Esala Perahera to Gain Intellectual Property Safeguards under WIPO Project

• Cabinet Approval: The Cabinet of Ministers approved an initiative to safeguard the historical, cultural, and traditional intellectual property of the Kandy Esala Perahera under the World Intellectual Property Organisation’s (WIPO) project, “Promoting Festival Tourism Development through Intellectual Property”. • Strategic Focus: Special emphasis will be given to copyright protection, trademarks, and brand names to preserve the festival's unique identity, centuries-old art forms, and traditional knowledge. • Implementation Committee: A multi-stakeholder committee co-chaired by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development and the Minister of Buddhism, Religious Affairs, and Cultural Affairs will prepare and submit the official project proposal. • Economic & Tourism Objective: The initiative aims to enhance the capacity of cultural festival organisers to utilize intellectual property rights to boost festival tourism while safeguarding Sri Lanka's cultural heritage on the global stage.