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Music licences for your business

Hotels, shops, restaurants, broadcasters, event organisers and anyone else who plays music in public in Sri Lanka needs a licence from ACPOSL.

Find your licencelicensing@acposl.lk

Find your licence

Licences are grouped by the kind of place or service that plays the music.

What kind of business or organisation are you?

Choose your type of business

You'll see what the licence covers, the tariff that applies and how to apply.

Not listed, or not sure which to pick? Email licensing@acposl.lk or call (+94) 112 305 070.

Why you need a licence

Music is protected by copyright under the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003. Anyone who plays it in public needs permission from its owners, or the organisation that represents them.

It's the law
The Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003 requires permission to play copyrighted music in public.
It pays the people who made the music
Your licence fee is distributed as royalties to the composers, lyricists and publishers whose music you play.
One licence, a wide repertoire
An ACPOSL licence gives you lawful access to the works ACPOSL represents.
Avoid penalties
Using music in public without a licence puts your business at risk of penalties.

Tariffs

Licence fees are set by tariff schedules published in the Government Gazette of Sri Lanka, one for each licence category. The gazette is available in English, Sinhala and Tamil.

Apply for a licence

Apply by email or phone. Event organisers must have the licence before the event takes place.

  1. 1

    Find your licence category above.

  2. 2

    Email licensing@acposl.lk or call the licensing team. Tell them about your business and your category.

  3. 3

    ACPOSL sends you the licensing terms, the tariff that applies and the agreement forms.

Email the licensing team(+94) 112 305 070

Organising a concert? Fill in the concert application form (PDF, 145 KB).

Questions music users ask

Do I need a licence if I only play the radio or a streaming app in my business?

Yes. Playing music to customers, guests or visitors is a public performance under copyright law, whether it comes from speakers, the radio, television, a streaming service or live musicians.

Who gets the licence for an event?

The event organiser, before the event takes place. Concert organisers also complete the concert application form.

How much does a licence cost?

Fees are set by the tariff published in the Government Gazette of Sri Lanka. What you pay depends on your licence category and how you use music. Read the tariff in English, Sinhala or Tamil.

Are there reduced licences for charities, schools or religious groups?

Yes. Concessionary licences cover non-commercial and socially beneficial uses by registered charities, educational and religious institutions, community and cultural organisations, and government social initiatives.

Where does my licence fee go?

Licence fees are distributed as royalties to the composers, lyricists and publishers whose music is played, under ACPOSL's published Distribution Rules.