2026 Edition
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
DL & F De Saram, one of the largest full-service law firms in Sri Lanka, specialises in domestic and cross-border matters across all practice areas, with its strongest practices in banking and finance, corporate and M&A, dispute resolution and intellectual property. The firm is highly capable of undertaking complex transactions and meeting client expectations. Key contacts for corporate and M&A and banking and finance work are Savantha De Saram and Prabash De Saram. The firm hired Vishwamithra Kadurugamuwa as consultant counsel in March 2025 from Kandima Residences, Maldives. He specialises in banking and finance, capital markets, corporate and M&A, private equity, construction, regulatory, restructuring and insolvency, competition/antitrust, and real estate matters.
Client feedback
"Responsive, willing to work with complicated requirements and approachable." – Corporate and M&A
"The firm has always provided very valuable and timely guidance." – Dispute resolution
"The team is very professional and technically proficient." – Regulatory
"The staff are very personable and approachable, open and clear in their comments, and their formal responses are clear and easy to understand." – Shipping
"Practical and relevant advice, able to relate to the business context, with a depth of experience and exposure across industries that is useful when receiving advice." – Technology and telecommunications
Jivan Goonetilleke
"Willing to listen, accessible and gives sound advice."
"His experience, knowledge and clear communication skills."
"A great scope for commerciality and an understanding of the industry provides for strong legal and commercial advice."
"Deep experience and knowledge across multiple industries, the ability to provide practical and contextual legal advice, the ability to understand global business contexts in a local setting, and a willingness to weigh in on pros and cons when advising and giving practical and realistic solutions."
Aloka Nandasena
"Very approachable, very responsive and able to draft complex agreements."
Client feedback
"Responsive, willing to work with complicated requirements and approachable." – Corporate and M&A
"The firm has always provided very valuable and timely guidance." – Dispute resolution
"The team is very professional and technically proficient." – Regulatory
"The staff are very personable and approachable, open and clear in their comments, and their formal responses are clear and easy to understand." – Shipping
"Practical and relevant advice, able to relate to the business context, with a depth of experience and exposure across industries that is useful when receiving advice." – Technology and telecommunications
Jivan Goonetilleke
"Willing to listen, accessible and gives sound advice."
"His experience, knowledge and clear communication skills."
"A great scope for commerciality and an understanding of the industry provides for strong legal and commercial advice."
"Deep experience and knowledge across multiple industries, the ability to provide practical and contextual legal advice, the ability to understand global business contexts in a local setting, and a willingness to weigh in on pros and cons when advising and giving practical and realistic solutions."
Aloka Nandasena
"Very approachable, very responsive and able to draft complex agreements."
FJ & G De Saram, Sri Lanka's oldest law firm with a 183-year legacy, maintains its preeminent position through consistently evolving service standards and addressing changing market needs. The firm's extensive experience spans banking and finance, corporate and M&A, and dispute resolution, with its corporate law department being the largest and most successful division. As one of Sri Lanka's largest full-service firms, it has four main divisions: corporate law, real property, dispute resolution and intellectual property, each led by senior partners with over 25 years of experience. The corporate practice provides comprehensive advisory services across mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, investment, taxation, construction, telecommunications and infrastructure sectors. The dispute resolution team, established in 1995, was the first in Sri Lanka to provide in-house advocacy services. Key partners include Himali Mudadeniya, Manjula Ellepola and Tilani Ford.
Client feedback
"Top-tier corporate and commercial expertise with deep knowledge covering a range of legal and regulatory matters. It is the oldest law firm in the country with longstanding heritage, goodwill and reputation." – Corporate and M&A
"Effective coordination between all parties." – Corporate and M&A
"Extremely professional, time-bound, has a team of experts and does not rely on one single person for expertise, and gives clear and direct advice." – Corporate and M&A
"Keeps to timelines, excellent customer service, experience and expertise in diverse areas, and strong commercial and legal acumen." – Regulatory
Pravinee Algama
"Coordination and accuracy."
"Prompt response, professional and direct to the point."
Ayomi Aluwihare
"Her expert knowledge and skill, positive attitude, and ability to think outside the box and provide practical solutions."
Buwaneka Basnayake
"Attention to detail and ability to simplify complex legal positions."
"Excellent knowledge of corporate law, Colombo Stock Exchange rules, corporate restructuring, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions, with strong technical knowledge and sound commercial judgement enabling him to develop practical and effective solutions to complex commercial issues."
Client feedback
"Top-tier corporate and commercial expertise with deep knowledge covering a range of legal and regulatory matters. It is the oldest law firm in the country with longstanding heritage, goodwill and reputation." – Corporate and M&A
"Effective coordination between all parties." – Corporate and M&A
"Extremely professional, time-bound, has a team of experts and does not rely on one single person for expertise, and gives clear and direct advice." – Corporate and M&A
"Keeps to timelines, excellent customer service, experience and expertise in diverse areas, and strong commercial and legal acumen." – Regulatory
Pravinee Algama
"Coordination and accuracy."
"Prompt response, professional and direct to the point."
Ayomi Aluwihare
"Her expert knowledge and skill, positive attitude, and ability to think outside the box and provide practical solutions."
Buwaneka Basnayake
"Attention to detail and ability to simplify complex legal positions."
"Excellent knowledge of corporate law, Colombo Stock Exchange rules, corporate restructuring, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions, with strong technical knowledge and sound commercial judgement enabling him to develop practical and effective solutions to complex commercial issues."