SriLanka, Nov. 1 -- The Government will provide a lasting solution to the country's long-running dispute over music copyright and royalty payments, which successive administrations have failed to resolve, officials of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

The dispute has fuelled disagreements among singers, lyricists and composers over song ownership and their respective entitlements to royalties. The issue is expected to be resolved on a firm legal footing, Acting Director General of the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) H. S. Hettihelage said.

"A Government-appointed Intellectual Property Advisory Commission is reviewing amendments to the Intellectual...