F. J. & G. De Saram > Colombo, Sri Lanka > Firm Profile

F. J. & G. De Saram > The Legal 500 Rankings

Sri Lanka > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

F. J. & G. De Saram assists clients on the full spectrum of corporate and commercial law, with the practice’s key strengths lying in M&A, taxation and capital market matters, among other work. The team works alongside domestic as well as international blue-chip companies, and as of late, has advised on anti-laundering policies in line with domestic law. Team head Buwaneka Basnayake is highly proficient in the entire array of commercial matters, particularly in capital markets and company law, and offers his expertise in restructuring work involving large amounts of companies. Alongside Bassnayake, Shanaka Gunasekara thrives in pre-litigation employment advisory matters, data protection and privacy, computer law and telecommunication. Other names overseeing the practice include Ayomi Aluwihare-Gunawardene, Shehara Varia and Anjali Fernando.

Sri Lanka > Real estate and construction Tier 1

F. J. & G. De Saram is home to a team with extensive knowledge in real estate matters such as property ownership, conveyancing and notarial practice, mortgages and security interests in property. The group assists its wide range of clients in drafting the full spectrum of lease agreements, sale and purchase agreements, deeds of transfer, deeds of partition, deeds of exchange, deeds of declaration and lease agreements. The team also advises regional and multinational clients on mortgage laws and is headed by Manjula Ellepola, who advises clients on investments in property alongside drafting security documents on the financing of significant infrastructure projects. At associate level Ruwani Dantanarayana is a name to note.

Sri Lanka > Banking and finance Tier 2

F. J. & G. De Saram advises local and international banks on the full array of matters, including lending and foreign exchange restrictions, among other work. The practice also actively assists payment service providers in matters relating to money laundering and bribery. Ayomi Aluwihare-Gunawardene has expertise in investment markets, while Himali Mudadeniya provides knowledge of debt finance transactions and also assists international banks, as well as other financial institutions wishing to operate in Sri Lanka; the pair jointly head the team alongside Manjula Ellepola, who is particularly well versed in the security side of project financing transactions and is often involved in drafting security documents. Tilani Ford is particularly busy handling fintech matters, advising clients on domestic payment and settlement laws.

Sri Lanka > Dispute resolution Tier 2

F. J. & G. De Saram advises a broad range of clients on disputes across the full array of sectors including banking and finance, insurance and reinsurance and M&A. The group is principally focused on international arbitration, representing clients predominantly as claimants taking action against the State. With over 25 years of experience in advisory services, Avinda Rodrigo heads the practice, which thrives in handling lucrative engineering and construction disputes.

Sri Lanka > Labour and employment Tier 2

The employment practice at F. J. & G. De Saram, which sits within the firm’s corporate department, is praised for its ‘exceptional level of support, detail and practicality’. Clients benefit from the team’s ability to advise on the transfer of employees, voluntary retirement schemes resulting from business transfers or mergers, corporate restructuring, and the sale or purchase of assets. Shehara Varia heads the practice, which includes the ‘exceptional’ Shanaka Gunasekara, who specialises in pre-litigation employment advisory matters.