Tiruchelvam Associates > Colombo, Sri Lanka > Firm Profile

Tiruchelvam Associates > The Legal 500 Rankings

Sri Lanka > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Tiruchelvam Associates provides specialist knowledge to both regional and international clients, supporting on an array of corporate structuring, foreign direct investment and M&A mandates; the team assists in several sectors such as energy, healthcare and infrastructure development and is led by Asanka Abeysekera, a lawyer well-versed in real estate alongside corporate mandates who is particularly reputed for her knowledge in cross-border transactions and investments in immovable property. Alongside Abeysekera, Laila Nasry co-leads the group, overseeing a wealth of corporate transactions. At the more junior level, senior associate Nirosha Peiris offers the team extensive knowledge in corporate governance matters alongside expertise in regulatory matters, most notably foreign exchange law.

Sri Lanka > Labour and employment Tier 1

Ramani Muttettuwegama leads the labour and employment division at Tiruchelvam Associates, which possesses the ‘required expertise, experience and knowledge’ to assist both local and multinational clients in the manufacturing, technology and energy industries, and more recently the education sector. The team leverages its knowledge of strict labour laws to advise on data protection and educational matters, and is also adept at handling the employment aspects of global deals with regard to employment share option schemes and restructuring. Clients further benefit from the division’s niche experience in the sphere of business immigration, providing corporate expertise in relation to recruitment, workforce planning and global mobility in the technology sector.

Sri Lanka > Private client, wills and probate Tier 1

Sri Lanka > Projects and energy Tier 1

Tiruchelvam Associates is recommened for its work within the energy sector, specifically in relation to renewable energy projects. Practice head Laila Nasry is a key name to note within this area, advising clients on an array of issues including rooftop solar projects. Senior associate Nirosha Peiris bolsters the strength in depth of the practice, focusing on power projects.

Sri Lanka > Real estate and construction Tier 2

Tiruchelvam Associates has recently supported a wealth of real estate clients on all matters arising from the foreign exchange crisis. The practice also supports multinational clients, when needed, with applications to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka for tax clearance certificates after the sale of their property in Sri Lanka. Asanka Abeysekera oversees the team: her thorough experience within banking and finance makes her a go-to for real estate transaction structuring, and she is likewise well-versed in title reports.

Sri Lanka > Tax Tier 2

Tiruchelvam Associates is recommened for acting on an array of tax-related issues, specifically regarding permanent establishments, transfer pricing and the impact of tax reform proposals. The practice dovetails effectively with the firm’s real estate and corporate departments. Ramani Muttettuwegama is they key name to consider.

Sri Lanka > Banking and finance Tier 3

Tiruchelvam Associates has been busy combatting matters within the banking and finance sector relating to Sri Lanka’s economic crisis. The practice assists multinational as well as smaller clients on regulatory changes such as overcoming restrictions and management of salaries. Thanks to associate Thuwaraka Ganeshan’s IT expertise, clients have also been assisted on a diversity of fintech matters. The group has aided not-for-profit organisations and has consistently advised at reduced or pro bono rates to those concentrated on micro finance. Ramani Muttettuwegama leads the team and is adept in debt restructuring with her advice often coveted by international debt restructuring teams.

Sri Lanka > Dispute resolution Tier 3

The team at Tiruchelvam Associates have been particularly engaged in handling disputes regarding employment, routinely appearing before the commissioner of labour. The practice aims to broaden the areas in which it operates and has ventured into sectors such as rent and ejectment. The group is headed by Laila Nasry alongside Ayendra Wickremesekera, the former is particularly adept in matters within the power and energy fields; the latter is adept in labour law litigation and is particularly knowledgeable in labour law reform.

Sri Lanka > Intellectual property Tier 4

Skilled negotiator Ramani Muttettuwegama and head of the IP practice Michael Paiva lead the team at Tiruchelvam Associates. It is equipped to provide the full array of intellectual property advice and is primarily engaged in the export, biotechnology and healthcare sectors. The team is skilled at trademarks, design and patent filings, as well as prosecutions, enforcements and opposition actions. Due diligence exercises and the negotiation of licensing agreements are also strong points for the firm. The group regularly represents clients at the National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO), most notably in the tea export industry – one of the main sources of foreign revenue generation to Sri Lanka.