Department profile
DL & F De Saram

Corporate/Commercial

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Sri Lanka

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DL & F De Saram

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About

Provided by DL & F De Saram

Specializations

Key work of the Department includes both domestic and crossborder corporate and commercial law matters (including M&A, capital market transactions, compliance and regulatory matters, restructuring), projects and infrastructure, tax and labour. The Department has acted as local counsel on several cross-border matters alongside several international law firms.

The Department contributes to several publications such as Practical Law Global Guides, Doing Business Guides – World Bank Group and Littler International Guide and also maintains Facebook OTT and Net Neutrality Trackers. Recently, the Department contributed to an online tool collating information relevant to clean energy projects in a number of international markets, including Sri Lanka, being developed by Simmons & Simmons LLP and formulated a compliance checklist for ENEOS Oil & Energy Asia Pte Ltd (subsidiary of ENEOS Corporation, Japan) on their sales and marketing activities of lubricant oil in Sri Lanka.

Clients

The recurrent client base includes Odakyu Group, HPL Properties (West Asia) Pte Ltd, China Machinery Engineering Corporation, Sugih Energy International Pte Ltd, China Harbour Engineering Company, SK E&S, ZTE Corporation, Seoyoung Engineering Co. Ltd, WindForce PLC and GE.

Recent Work Highlights

Recent work highlights include advising on the divestment of JF& I Packaging (Private) Limited and advising WindForce PLC on its offer for subscription amounting to LKR 3.2 Mn and listing on CSE.

Clients (10)

  • Sysco Corporation
  • Akbar Brothers (Private) Limited
  • DirectFN Technology (Private) Limited
  • China Machinery Engineering Corporation
  • ICICI Bank UK PLC
  • ZTE Corporation
  • China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Company Limited
  • WindForce PLC
  • HOSPINORM Projects GmbH
  • China Harbour Engineering Company Limited

Industries (12)

  • Projects and Infrastructure
  • Insurance
  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Industrial and Manufacturing
  • Media and Entertainment
  • Consumer Goods and Services
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Technology and Telecommunications
  • Power and Energy
  • Construction
  • Private Equity
  • Shipping

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial - Sri Lanka

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

DL & F De Saram routinely represents a wide variety of multinational businesses and law firms on Sri Lankan inbound investment issues, including acting as co-counsel alongside international law firms. The firm provides assistance with corporate restructuring in addition to joint ventures and M&A transactions. The team has a notable track record in working on commercial matters concerning the energy, infrastructure, construction, healthcare and insurance sectors, including project development work. The team also offers expertise in cross-border matters across a wide range of jurisdictions and is active in the private equity sphere.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • DL & F De Saram advised Bharti Airtel on the transfer of 100% of shares of its local subsidiary, Airtel Lanka, to Dialog Axiata in consideration of Bharti Airtel being issued shares of Dialog.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team is very cooperative and available even after the regular business hours. They use multiple channels to connect with the clients.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific

  • They have expert knowledge and experienced supporting staff.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Aloka Nandasena
    Aloka Nandasena

    Aloka Nandasena

    Aloka Nandasena has a broad legal practice that encompasses corporate restructuring, M&A and project development. Her broad clientele includes multinationals, private equity funds and government bodies.

    • Aloka is an asset and a wonderful support.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific

    • She personally gets involved in the transactions and her attention to detail and technical expertise stand out.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Savantha De Saram
    Savantha De Saram

    Savantha De Saram

    Savantha De Saram is highly regarded in the Sri Lankan legal market for his skills in handling joint venture, M&A and project development mandates.

    • Savantha has always been very prompt and has ensured that he and his team act as an extended arm.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Hansi Abayaratne
    Hansi Abayaratne

    Hansi Abayaratne

    Hansi Abayaratne has a busy corporate legal practice, regularly advising clients on domestic and cross-border transactions, including corporate restructuring, M&A and company incorporation.

    • She is is very approachable and attentive.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific

    • Hansi is professional, with extensive knowledge of her field.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
    View profile

Ranked Individuals at DL & F De Saram (3)

Sri Lanka

Members

Provided by DL & F De Saram

DL & F De Saram has rankings in the following guides

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