D. L. & F. De Saram advises on a wide range of corporate and commercial affairs, covering both domestic and cross-border M&A, regulatory compliance, joint ventures and restructurings across a wide range of sectors. The practice is led by managing partner Savantha De Saram and Aloka Nandasena, who handle corporate restructurings, acquisitions, and joint ventures across sectors such as telecoms, manufacturing, and consumer goods. Hansi Abayaratne and Inshira Hanifa bring together expertise in corporate and M&A, banking and finance, tax and projects in the energy and real estate sectors, while Ushara Ratnayake is active in transactional matters and due diligence.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The De Saram team is highly efficient and capable in relation to transactions in Sri Lanka. ’
‘I have worked together with Hansi Abayaratne, who is very astute and has a keen eye for issues which will have commercial implications for the client.'
- 'I have also worked together with managing associate Ushara Ratnayake, who is very attentive and detail-oriented, which is very useful for corporate transactions.'
- 'They are very proficient, skilful and give confident, straight advice. They meet agreed deadlines, keep updating us on matters and give straight answers.'
- 'The team's expertise and ability to recommend practical solutions in a tough regulatory environment are particularly noteworthy. Working with Savantha and Aloka is an absolute pleasure.'
- 'Aloka Nandasena exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in corporate law. Her deep legal expertise, attention to detail, unwavering professionalism, being approachable and most importantly being deeply invested in any assignment and its success has to be commended.'
Key clients
- CEAT Limited, India
- Bharti Airtel Limited
- Navneet Education Limited
- Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Limited and Sunshine Holdings PLC
- Unidil Packaging Limited
- Serendib Engineering Group PLC
- Maharaja Foods Limited
- Ceylon Knit Trend (Private) Limited
- CEAT Limited, India
- Bharti Airtel Limited
- Navneet Education Limited
- Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Limited and Sunshine Holdings PLC
Work highlights
Advising CEAT Limited, India on the acquisition of the Construction Compact Line Business of Michelin Lanka (Private) Limited, a BOI-approved entity.
Advising the Sunshine Group on the proposed equity investment by IFC in Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Limited, through which IFC will acquire a 14.7% stake.
Advised Unidil Packaging Limited on establishing a subsidiary in Kenya and acquiring a local packaging company.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Aloka Nandasena
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Hansi Abayaratne
Inshira Hanifa
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Ushara Ratnayake
Practice head
Savantha De Saram; Aloka Nandasena
Other key lawyers
Hansi Abayaratne; Inshira Hanifa; Ushara Ratnayake