• It comes in many forms while the latest is ice-cream Kottu

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Sri Lanka should apply for an international patent for Kottu which is a food which has originated from the island, a government MP told Parliament yesterday.   

MP Charitha Herath said it is time an international patient right was obtained for Kottu which has originated from Batticaloa. “Pizza has become an internationally popular delicacy that originated from Italy. Italy has obtained an international patent for it. Kottu is also beginning to get popular internationally. It comes in many forms while the latest is ice-cream Kottu. Therefore Sri Lanka should apply for an international patent,” the MP said.   

The MP brought the House’s focus on the lack of proper patent right laws in Sri Lanka. “Artistes are affected by this issue,” he said.   

Also, he stressed the need for laws to help an individual to ensure his or her digital presence.  “Technological development has made a person’s digital presence more important than physical presence. New patent laws need to cover social media as well in these circumstances,” he added.