The Government has decided to pay royalties to artistes from March 1.

 

According to Information and Media, Higher Education, Technology and innovations Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, all radio stations should pay Rs.20 and TV stations should pay Rs.100 as royalties to artistes when their compilations are used.

 

The Minister made this statement during a meeting with Editors at the Information Department yesterday in order to implement the government’s media policies and to collect information to provide greater concessions for journalists.

 

“The royalty payments would be made for songs under the Intellectual Property Rights, whereas the payments would be divided among the singer, song writer and music composer,” the minister said.

 

Artistes commended the government for having taken this measure which none of the previous governments were able to do.