This is to kindly inform you that in terms of the F.R. 169(2) of the Financial Regulations of the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, when prescribed fees for the services provided by the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) are made by cheques, the date on which the cheques are realized will be considered as the date of payment. This directive will be implemented with effect from 08.07.2019. The receipts of payment (Form General 172) will be issued acknowledging the same accordingly. You are kindly requested to submit a letter in 02 copies giving details as to the Cheque no., the Bank from which the cheque is drawn, and the value of the cheque to the shroff Counter at the time of handing over the cheque. The cheques submitted deviating from the aforementioned procedure will be rejected by the Shroff. Thus, in order to avoid delays at the Shroff Counter, you are kindly requested to follow the above procedure.
If prescribed fees (which are required to be paid responding to NIPO notices eg. notices of opposition, renewals) are paid by cheques, please make such payments before the expiration of the prescribed period taking into account the time taken for the realization of the cheque and the cheque realization date should fall on a working day of the week. In respect of a certain fee that should be made before a deadline and if the payments are made on the last date, such payments should be made in cash in order to avoid expiration or cancellation. Eg. In case of renewal of a trademark, the cheque for specified fee and surcharge should be realized on or before the date of expiration of the grace period. If a delay occurs due to making such payments by cheque, registration will lapse and the mark will be removed from the Register.
Please be informed that your applications will be allocated a receipt number, only upon realization of the cheque and the processing of the application will be carried out thereafter.

Director General of Intellectual Property