The National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) of Sri Lanka has officially launched its long-awaited public online search platform for IP records, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation efforts.

As of February 5, 2026, users can access Sri Lanka’s national databases covering trademarks, patents and industrial designs through a centralized online portal available free of charge.

The initiative represents a significant step in modernizing and digitizing Sri Lanka’s IP framework. The platform was implemented with the support of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), reinforcing international collaboration in strengthening the country’s intellectual property infrastructure.

NIPO has also announced that online filing capabilities are expected to follow, further streamlining the registration process and signalling a clear shift toward a more efficient, transparent and accessible IP system in Sri Lanka.

The launch of the public database delivers meaningful advantages for trademark owners and businesses operating or expanding into the Sri Lankan market. With remote access to official records, brand owners can now conduct preliminary clearance searches more efficiently, improving early risk assessment before filing applications. The increased transparency also enables rights holders to monitor potentially conflicting marks more effectively and take timely enforcement action where necessary.

Experience in other jurisdictions suggests that greater public access to records often leads to increased filing activity. As a result, early and strategic trademark registration becomes even more critical for businesses seeking to secure their rights.

Sri Lanka continues to operate under a first-to-file system, where rights are primarily secured through registration rather than use alone. With easier access to registry information, clearance searches should now become a standard pre-filing step. Earlier filing is advisable to secure priority, and monitoring strategies may need to be reviewed to ensure adequate protection.

For brand owners expanding into South Asia, Sri Lanka remains a strategically important market. The enhanced transparency of the registry allows clearance and risk assessment to be conducted more efficiently, strengthens enforcement strategies, and supports better alignment of IP portfolio management with regional expansion plans.

At the same time, increased accessibility means competitors can more easily identify and respond to new filings. This underscores the importance of adopting a proactive and well-planned trademark strategy in an increasingly transparent IP environment.

With the launch of its public online search platform, NIPO signals a new era for intellectual property protection in Sri Lanka – one defined by digital access, procedural efficiency and greater market clarity for rights holders worldwide.

- Excel V. Dyquiangco