Dilemmas of Intellectual Property Discourse in Sri Lanka

This book examines global and national lawmaking in Sri Lanka through three case studies: patent examination, plant variety laws, and technology innovation. It evaluates how various lawmakers influence intellectual property law to support innovation and development in Sri Lanka.

The book explores Sri Lanka’s intellectual property laws and the mismatch between its international obligations, such as Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS), and the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), and their implementation. It examines the repercussions of this mismatch and provides insights for the future of Sri Lanka and other small developing countries. Based on socio-legal research, the book reveals the nature of local and global discourses and the lawmaking processes regarding intellectual property in Sri Lanka. While international law advocates strong standards for inventiveness in patent examination, plant breeders’ rights, and technology transfer to support high-tech development, Sri Lanka has been reluctant to implement such laws.

This book is a crucial resource for researchers, policymakers, and legal professionals interested in intellectual property law, innovation ecosystems, and the socio-legal aspects of lawmaking in developing countries.

Introduction.- Lawmaking Actors, Processes and Discourses in Sri Lanka.- Discourses on Patent Law Reforms in Sri Lanka.- Discourses on Legal Framework for Protection of Plant Varieties in Sri Lanka.- The Science, Technology and Innovation Discourse in Sri Lanka.- Conclusion.

Asanka has been in academia for more than thirty years and currently is a lecturer at Monash Business School, Department of Business Law and Taxation, Monash University Australia. At Monash she teaches business law, Australian company law and business and company law for undergraduates and postgraduates. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy from Monash University, Master of Philosophy from Monash University, Master of Comparative Laws from Delhi University and Bachelor of Laws from University of Colombo. Before joining Monash University, she was a senior lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka. She conducts research in the area of intellectual property and has authored a number of scholarly journal articles and book chapters and has presented papers in conferences on intellectual property issues such as plant variety protection laws, patents, innovation and development and gene patenting.