Sri Lanka’s Kandy Esala Perahera to Receive Intellectual Property Protection Under WIPO Initiative

The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka has formally approved a proposal to safeguard the historical, cultural, and traditional intellectual property of the Kandy Esala Perahera, one of the country’s most celebrated cultural festivals.

This initiative is part of a broader collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under its project titled “Promoting Festival Tourism Development through Intellectual Property.” The project’s objective is to enhance the capacity of cultural festival organizers to utilize intellectual property rights effectively in tourism development, while ensuring respect for traditions and heritage.

The Kandy Esala Perahera, which is deeply rooted in centuries-old art forms and indigenous knowledge, has been identified as an ideal candidate for submission under this WIPO programme. The project will place special emphasis on securing copyright protections, as well as developing trademarks and branding strategies to preserve and promote the festival’s distinctive identity.

To facilitate the preparation and submission of the project proposal, the Cabinet endorsed a recommendation made by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development. This effort will be conducted under the joint chairmanship of the Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

A dedicated committee comprising all relevant stakeholders will be appointed to oversee the implementation of the project. This committee’s mandate will include strengthening festival tourism and ensuring the protection of Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage on the international stage.

The initiative reflects a strategic approach to cultural preservation that integrates intellectual property law with tourism development. By formalizing protections around the Kandy Esala Perahera’s unique cultural expressions, Sri Lanka aims to safeguard its intangible heritage while enhancing its appeal to global visitors.

This move also aligns with international trends recognizing the importance of intellectual property rights in protecting traditional knowledge and cultural expressions, particularly in the context of tourism and economic development.

The Cabinet’s approval marks a significant step forward in Sri Lanka’s efforts to balance cultural preservation with sustainable tourism growth, leveraging intellectual property frameworks to support both objectives.