Dilani Hirimuthugodage Highlights the Importance of Sri Lanka’s New GI Registry System at the “Worldwide Perspectives on Geographical Indications: International Conference for Researchers, Policymakers and Practitioners”

18 – 21 February 2025

IPS Research Economist Dilani Hirimuthugodage highlighted the importance of the new GI registry system in Sri Lanka and discussed potential GIs for future registration, at the “Worldwide Perspectives on Geographical Indications: International Conference for Researchers, Policymakers and Practitioners,” in Rome, Italy.

She made these observations while conducting a presentation titled “Innovative strategies to strengthen the GI governance mechanism: Lessons from Sri Lanka,” during the conference session on ‘Controls and Certification.’

During her presentation Ms. Hirimuthugodage also emphasised the proposed governing mechanism for Ceylon Tea, Ceylon Golden Pineapple, and Kolonna Pepper, noting that it serves as a model for future products in Sri Lanka.

Ms. Hirimuthugodage also served as a member of the Scientific Committee of the conference and moderated the session on ‘Climate Change and Biodiversity.’

This conference was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry (MASAF), in collaboration with the Centre for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development (CIRAD), Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI), Organization for an International Network of Geographical Indications (oriGIn), oriGIn Italia, and the Qualivita Foundation. It was attended by nearly 400 participants from 52 countries.