Nithya Partners maintains a dominant position in the Sri Lankan tax market, led by Naomal Goonewardena , who is widely regarded as a pre-eminent expert in direct and indirect taxation. The team advises corporates, financial institutions, and multinationals on structuring, planning, and compliance, alongside handling high-value tax litigation before the Tax Appeals Commission, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Recent mandates include advising major domestic banks, energy companies, and international corporates on tax-efficient structuring and complex disputes. Prashanthi Vignanantha plays a key role in supporting relevant litigation matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Naomal Goonewardena is an outstanding professional. He understands tax laws as well as businesses.'
Key clients
- Standard Chartered Bank Ltd
- McLarens Lubricants (Private) Limited
- People’s Bank
- Kegalle Plantations PLC
- CEI Plastics Limited
- Ceylon Shell Flour (Private) Limited
- Pan Asia Bank
- MCB Bank
- Namunukula Plantations PLC
- Kotmale Dairy Products (Pvt) Ltd
Work highlights
Representing McLarens Lubricants (Private) Limited in a series of appeals in the Supreme Court on a question relating to whether the supply of lubricants to ships plying in international waters amounts to ‘export’ under the Inland Revenue Act.
Representing Peoples’ Bank in the Court of Appeal in several matters under the Inland Revenue Act and the Value Added Tax Act with respect to matters such as the deductibility of expenses relating to benefits conferred on pensioners and chargeability to VAT of certain notional gains arising from the application of the International Financial Reporting Standards.
Advising MCB Bank on the disallowance of certain Head Office expenses.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Prashanthi Vignanantha
Practice head
Naomal Goonewardena
Other key lawyers
Prashanthi Vignanantha