The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has released a detailed set of instructions and a revised fee structure for authors and publishers seeking approval for books to be included in school libraries.
The process, managed by the Educational Publications Advisory Board, mandates that authors and publishers adhere to strict submission guidelines to obtain the necessary license. A key requirement is the submission of three copies for printed books and two copies for handwritten manuscripts.
According to the newly published fee schedule, the cost for survey and approval varies by publication type. For standard printed books exceeding 49 pages, the fee is Rs. 1,500 for the first 100 pages, with an additional Rs. 15 charged for every page beyond that. Children’s books over 16 pages carry a fee of Rs. 1,200 for the first 100 pages, plus Rs. 10 for each additional page. The fees for magazines, journals, and smaller booklets are also outlined, with payment accepted via money order or cash at the Ministry.
The Board has issued several critical instructions for applicants:
- Applications must be signed by the author or the publisher if the rights have been transferred.
- All books, irrespective of language (Sinhala, Tamil, or English), must be grammatically accurate, or the license will be refused.
- Manuscripts must be fully proofread and submitted as a complete computerized document, including the back cover; handwritten manuscripts are no longer accepted.
- For translations, a copy of the original book and written permission for translation must be provided.
Applicants are advised to expect a significant waiting period, with the Board noting that the approval process typically takes two and a half to three months. Furthermore, the Board will not disclose the names of its surveyors, provide copies of survey reports, or entertain appeals for books that have been rejected.
In a move to ensure the quality and appropriateness of educational materials, the Board has also declared that it will not grant licenses for several specific categories. This includes books written by children under 18, books that parallel those published by the Department of Educational Publications for the school syllabus, and various exam-focused publications such as:
- Question and Answer Books (for Grade 5 Scholarship, G.C.E. O/L, and A/L exams)
- Workbooks for primary and other levels
- Picture Dictionaries
