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Key contacts
Precedent Partner: Ayomi Aluwihare
Partner: Manjula Ellepola
Partner: Shehara Varia
Quick facts
Number of lawyers

44

Number of partners

8

Network memberships

IBA, INTA

Languages

English and Sinhala

Key practice areas
Banking and finance
Banking
Project finance
Capital markets
Financial and corporate
Corporate and M&A
M&A
Energy and infrastructure
Project development
Firm overview

FJ&G de Saram is the oldest, spanning for over 182 years and one of the largest law firms in Sri Lanka. It is a full-service firm practising in all areas of corporate and commercial law.

The Firm is consistently ranked by legal directories as a top tier firm in the main areas of corporate/commercial law including mergers & acquisitions, banking and finance, project financing and dispute resolution. The key practice areas of the Firm also include Real Estate and Intellectual Property. Each key practise is headed by a senior lawyer with over 25 years at the bar.

The firm believes in delivering value with excellence.

Key transactional practices
  • Asset finance
  • Banking
  • Capital markets: Debt
  • Capital markets: Derivatives
  • Capital markets: Equity
  • Capital markets: High yield
  • CLO/CDO
  • Competition
  • Financial restructuring
  • Financial services regulatory
  • Hedge funds
  • Investment funds
  • Islamic finance
  • M&A
  • PPP/PFI
  • Private equity
  • Private equity funds
  • Project bonds
  • Covered bonds
  • Project development
  • Project finance
  • Real estate finance
  • Real estate funds
  • Restructuring and insolvency
  • Securitisation
  • Structured finance/securitisation
  • Trade finance
Address:
216 de Saram Place
Colombo 10
01000
Tel:+94776105077 Email:Contact Us Web Address:https://www.fjgdesaram.com
Rankings published in 2026
Banking
Tier 1
8 firms ranked
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Tier 1

D. L. & F. De Saram
9 practice areas
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FJ&G de Saram
9 practice areas
View full profile
Julius & Creasy
9 practice areas
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Nithya Partners
9 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Heritage Partners
5 practice areas
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Neelakandan & Neelakandan
9 practice areas
View profile
Sudath Perera Associates
5 practice areas
View profile
Varners
7 practice areas
View profile
Capital markets
Tier 1
6 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

FJ&G de Saram
9 practice areas
View full profile
Julius & Creasy
9 practice areas
View profile
Nithya Partners
9 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

D. L. & F. De Saram
9 practice areas
View full profile
Heritage Partners
5 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Neelakandan & Neelakandan
9 practice areas
View profile
M&A
Tier 1
8 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

D. L. & F. De Saram
9 practice areas
View full profile
FJ&G de Saram
9 practice areas
View full profile
Nithya Partners
9 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Julius & Creasy
9 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Heritage Partners
5 practice areas
View profile
Neelakandan & Neelakandan
9 practice areas
View profile
Sudath Perera Associates
5 practice areas
View profile
Varners
7 practice areas
View profile
Project development
Tier 1
6 firms ranked
View full list

Tier 1

D. L. & F. De Saram
9 practice areas
View full profile
FJ&G de Saram
9 practice areas
View full profile
Julius & Creasy
9 practice areas
View profile
Nithya Partners
9 practice areas
View full profile

Tier 2

Neelakandan & Neelakandan
9 practice areas
View profile

Tier 3

Varners
7 practice areas
View profile
Linked Reviews
Financial and corporate

Founded in 1841, FJ&G de Saramis the oldest law firm in Sri Lanka and is headquartered in Colombo.  

The banking team assists both international and domestic clients including banks, financial institutions, leasing companies, private equity firms, multinational corporations, government bodies and payment service providers.  

The project team’s experience covers a wide range of sectors including oil and gas, energy, transport, utilities and telecommunications.  

The firm’s corporate team advises across the spectrum of corporate mandates and has experience advising on both domestic and cross-border deals. 

 

Highlights  

In a landmark mandate, the firm advised the Government of Sri Lanka on its first International Sovereign Bond (ISB) exchange following its economic crisis and payment default. As the first such post-default ISB restructuring, this deal established a crucial precedent for sovereign debt management in a crisis context. 

In a pioneering infrastructure privatisation, the firm advised Russia’s Airports of the Regions on the proposed transfer of Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport to an Indian Russian joint venture. This complex mandate required navigating the Civil Aviation Act to enable the country’s first privatisation of a major international airport. 

 

Key clients  

Melco International Development, Airports of the Region, Siam City Cement, Dialog Axiata, International Finance Corporation, Michelin Lanka, Colombo Stock Exchange, Lynear Wealth Management, Citibank, George Stuart & Co 

 

Testimonials    

The team is very experienced and has a high standard of legal knowledge. (Banking and finance) 

“We found FJ&G de Saram’s services to be highly professional, efficient, and commercially minded. Their capital markets team provided clear and practical guidance, which helped us navigate complex regulatory requirements with confidence. Buwankea’s responsiveness and depth of technical expertise, combined with Pravenie’s ability to anticipate issues and provide strategic solutions, made a significant difference to the outcome.” (Capital marketsEquity) 

They advised on regulatory engagement with the Central Bank, developed risk-mitigating contractual frameworks, and interpreted the law in a way that allowed us to function effectively within its constraints. Their strategic and practical approach made a complex legal environment workable. (Financial services regulatory) 

The team is well versed with the nuances of the law, as well as practical aspects of how the law is implemented/ interpreted. (Financial services regulatory) 

Very responsive and provide clear practical advice.” (Restructuring and insolvency) 

Ayomi Aluwihare 

Ayomi has a wealth of knowledge and is easily accessible. She would give a patient hearing and provide practical and sound advice. She is very helpful whenever we reach out to her.” 

Buwaneka Basanayke 

Buwaneka Basanayake demonstrates strong technical expertise in capital markets law and delivers advice that is both thorough and practical. He is highly responsive, pays close attention to detail, and ensures that complex legal issues are explained in a clear and actionable way. What he does particularly well is combining legal rigour with commercial awareness, allowing us to make informed decisions quickly and confidently. 

Tilani Cooray 

Responsiveness and clear guidance. 

Responsive and efficient, with a good working knowledge and understanding of the law. 

Anjali Fernando 

Anjali Fernando is excellent at interpreting complex regulations and finding practical solutions. She helped us navigate Sri Lankan laws for our casino operations, offering clear, strategic advice that made a rigid legal framework workable. Her regulatory insight and responsiveness were key to the project's success. 

10 results10 results
Deal Highlights
15 results15 results
Deal Name Deal Date Firm Name Jurisdiction Deal Type Lawyer Names Client Names Client Role
Aitken Spence PLC - M&A
2021-07-04
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
M&A
Shehara Varia
Aitken Spence PLC
Acquirer
Asian Development Bank - Financing
2022-02-24
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
Financing
Himali Mudadeniya, Tilani Ford
Asian Development Bank
Lender
DFCC Bank Plc - Financing
2021-01-11
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
Financing
Himali Mudadeniya
DFCC Bank Plc
Borrower
Emerald Sri Lanka Fund I Ltd - M&A
2021-01-07
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
M&A
Anjali Fernando, Pavithra Navarathne
Emerald Sri Lanka Fund I Ltd
Shareholder
Hela Apparel Holdings Ltd - IPO
2022-02-24
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
IPO
Buwaneka Basnayake
Hela Apparel Holdings Ltd
Issuer
hSenid Business Solutions - IPO
2021-01-12
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
IPO
Buwaneka Basnayake, Praveeni Algama
hSenid Business Solutions
Issuer
Indian Overseas Bank - Financing
2022-02-24
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
Financing
Deepthi Fernando
Indian Overseas Bank
Lender
Jetwing Hotels Ltd - M&A
2022-02-24
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
M&A
Ayomi Aluwihare, Shehara Varia, Praveeni Algama
Jetwing Hotels Ltd
Acquirer
Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services Ltd - M&A
2021-08-07
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
M&A
Anjali Fernando, Praveeni Algama
Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services Ltd
Acquirer
Rizing LLC; One Equity Partners - M&A
2021-04-05
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
M&A
Shehara Varia
Rizing LLC, One Equity Partners
Acquirer
State Bank of India - Financing
2021-01-12
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
Financing
Deepthi Fernando
State Bank of India
Lender
State Bank of India - Financing
2021-01-11
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
Financing
Deepthi Fernando
State Bank of India
Lender
Sunshine Consumer Lanka Ltd - Financing
2021-01-06
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
Financing
Anjali Fernando, Manjula Ellepola
Sunshine Consumer Lanka Ltd
Borrower
The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries - M&A
2021-01-04
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
M&A
Ayomi Aluwihare
The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries
Investor
Watawala Dairy Ltd - M&A
2021-05-21
FJ&G de Saram
Sri Lanka
M&A
Buwaneka Basanayake
Watawala Dairy Ltd
Investor
Sponsored

Sponsored

  • IFLR1000
    Sponsored by FJ&G de Saram
    Shanaka Gunasekara and Avindra Rodrigo of FJ & G de Saram set out the salient characteristics of dispute resolution in Sri Lanka, where ADR methods have been statutorily embedded in the system