Sri Lankan Singers Demand Copyright Reform

COLOMBO (News 1st);  The Sri Lankan Singers’ Association has formally requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to initiate legal reforms that would ensure equal copyright and moral rights for lyricists, composers, and vocalists.

The appeal was made during a special meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, where members of the association raised concerns about the current limitations imposed by the Intellectual Property Act.

According to the union, while the law grants primary ownership of a song to its lyricist and composer, many popular singers are now facing restrictions in sharing their own performances on social media platforms due to copyright complications.

“This has created a serious professional and ethical imbalance,” the association stated, adding that many artists are being unfairly excluded from the rights to their own creative contributions.

In response, the association urged the President to appoint an independent committee to review the current legislation and recommend necessary amendments that would protect the rights of all contributors to a musical work.

President Dissanayake acknowledged the concerns and emphasized the need for a balanced and inclusive approach that ensures justice for all stakeholders.