📈 Sri Lanka Yet to Register Ceylon Tea for Geographical Indication (GI) Protection: NIPO

• Key Status: The National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) revealed that the Sri Lanka Tea Board has yet to submit an application to register Ceylon Tea for GI status, despite the country's 159-year tea heritage. • Current GI Coverage: Ceylon Cinnamon remains Sri Lanka's only product with official GI certification (granted by the EU in Feb 2022). Iconic items like Ceylon Sapphire and other unique gemstones still lack GI protection. • Collective IP Rights: NIPO emphasized that GIs are collective rights belonging to producer communities—not individual companies—requiring industry-wide unity and consensus to initiate registration. • Policy & International Strategy: Sri Lanka is working toward joining the Lisbon Agreement to secure international recognition and protection for local GIs in overseas markets. • Macro Export Targets: Strengthening GIs aligns with national goals under the National Export Development Plan (2026–2030), which targets $ 36 Bn in total exports ($ 28 Bn merchandise, $ 8 Bn+ services) by 2030.