PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Sri Lanka

The designated period for submitting a patent application in the region under the framework of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is 30 months from the earliest date of priority.

In the following jurisdiction, the official language for filing patent application is English. If the international application is in a different official language, providing a translation into English is mandatory. This ensures accuracy and regulatory compliance, which make a seamless and trouble-free progression through the patenting procedures.

No specific extension is available in the country for late entry into national phase rather a three months extensioin is provided for submitting the translation.This requirement ensures that the patent office has access to an English version for examination and evaluation purposes, facilitating a comprehensive and standardized review process.

The essential documents required for filing a national phase application include:

• Power of Attorney: within three months of entering the Sri Lankan PCT national phase, it is requisite to furnish a Power of Attorney that is both signed and stamped. This formal document grants the appointed representative the authority to act on behalf of the applicant during the national phase proceedings, ensuring compliance with the specified timeframe for submission.
• Assignmnet Deed: in situations where the applicant is not the inventor, a signed and is required to justify the applicant's right to the patent. This statement serves to clarify and substantiate the legal basis upon which the applicant claims the right to seek the patent, providing assurance and transparency regarding the ownership and entitlement to the intellectual property.

In Sri Lanka, the filing fees vary across different categories, with students (including those from schools, technical colleges, and universities) enjoying the lowest filing fees. Following students, the filing fees increase for natural persons, and then for others, who face the highest filing fees among the categories. This tiered fee structure reflects an approach to accommodate the financial considerations of different applicant groups while pursuing patent protection in Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, there is no requirement to file a separate request for examination. The patent examination process is seamlessly integrated, alleviating the need for a distinct application solely for examination purposes. This streamlined approach simplifies the procedural requirements for patent applicants in Sri Lanka.

Following the grant of a patent, obligatory annual fees must be remitted to the Office. The initial annual fee becomes due in connection with the third year from the date of grant and is required to be settled before the conclusion of the second year from that date. Subsequent annual fees for succeeding years must be paid in the year preceding the actual due year. In the event of delayed payment, payment accompanied by a 10% surcharge for late payment can be made within six months post the due date.

The patent term for patents in the following region is 20 years.

In the grand tapestry of global innovation, Sri Lanka emerges as a beacon of creativity and progress. The Global Innovation Index (GII), with its meticulous evaluation of approximately 80 indicators, places Sri Lanka at an impressive 11th position among the 36 lower-middle-income group economies. Within the dynamic landscape of Central and Southern Asia, Sri Lanka boldly claims the 5th spot among the top 10 economies. The nation's ascent is nothing short of spectacular, making a significant leap from the 95th position in 2021 to a remarkable 85th position in 2022. This notable progression is a testament to Sri Lanka's unwavering commitment to innovation on the global stage.