Our Services

1.0 Incorporation / Registration of Companies in Sri Lanka

1.1 Private Company – Sri Lankan Shareholders Only
Incorporation of Private Limited Company in Sri Lanka needs minimum of one Director and one Shareholder. Nature of business such as Manufacturing, Trading, Services, Agriculture etc. are not required to define as objectives under the Articles of Association since any type of business are allowed under a Private Limited Company with Sri Lankan shareholders. A minimum investment has not been prescribed by law and the registered place of business could be anywhere in Sri Lanka.

1.2 Private Company – Foreign Shareholders Only
Incorporation of Private Limited Company in Sri Lanka with foreign shareholding needs minimum of one Director including foreign director and one Shareholder. Nature of business such as Manufacturing, Trading, Services, Agriculture etc. are required to be defined as objectives under the Articles of Association and there are restrictions to hold shares for certain nature of business for non-citizen of Sri Lanka. Minimum investment has not been prescribed by law other than investment through Board of Investment. A Sri Lankan address is required for a Private Limited Company with foreign shareholders as the Company address and local address of foreign shareholders & directors.

1.3 Private Company – Sri Lankan and Foreign Shareholders
A Private Limited Company can be incorporated with Sri Lankan and Foreign shareholders with restrictions imposed under the Land Alienation Act and Exchange Control Act. Under the Land Act foreign shareholdings are restricted to 49% and under the Exchange Control Act certain types of businesses are not allowed or restricted to 40% of shareholdings of a Company.

1.4 Registration of Foreign Branch Office
We provide proper advice on the registration of a Brach office in Sri Lanka whether it is for a business or non-business purpose. Our advice is not restricted to Company law but for all laws applicable to register and operate a Branch office in Sri Lanka.

We also provide additional services like Local Address, a Nominee Authorized Person, opening of bank accounts, Registrations required under labours laws, Visa etc.

1.5 Off-Shore Company in Sri Lanka
A company registered within or outside Sri Lanka may register itself in Sri Lanka as an off-shore company to carry on any business outside the shores of Sri Lanka. Any company may make an application to the Registrar to be registered in Sri Lanka as an off-shore company and to be so referred to, and in the case of a company incorporated abroad, to be deemed to be incorporated in Sri Lanka, as if it had been incorporated under the provisions of the Companies Act.

A certificate of registration issued to an off-shore company, shall exempt the company from complying with any other provision of the Companies Act.

1.6 Guarantee Company
A company limited by guarantee shall have articles which sets out
(a) the objects of the company; and
(b) the amount which each member of the company undertakes to contribute to the assets of the company, in the event of such company being put into liquidation.
Where the Registrar is satisfied that an association is formed as a company limited by guarantee to promote commerce, art, science, religion, charity, sport, or any other useful object, and intends to apply its profits, if any, or other income in promoting its objects, and to prohibit the payment of any dividend to its members -
(a) the Registrar may by licence direct that the association be registered as a company limited by guarantee, without the addition of the word “Limited” to its name; and
(b) the association may be registered accordingly and shall on registration enjoy all the privileges subject to the provisions of the Companies Act.

2.0 Winding up of Companies

Strike off defunct company from register.
Where the Registrar of Companies has reasonable cause to believe that a company is not carrying on business or is in operation but no assets or liabilities held under the Company he may strike off name of the Company.

Further, winding up of a company may be either by the court, Voluntary or subject to the supervision of the court.

DPR undertakes to Strike off defunct Companies and act as Liquidator to wind up Companies in Sri Lanka.

3.0 Trade Marks and Patent Right Registration

DPR acts as an agent of any local or foreign client to register right of Patent, Copy Rights, Related Rights, Industrial Design, Marks and Trade Marks, Trade Names, Layout Designs of integrated Circuits, Unfair Competition and Undisclosed Information and Geographical Indications with The National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka established under the Intellectual Property Act No 36 of 2003.

4.0 Foreign Investment Advisory Services

DPR encourages to invest in Sri Lanka and provide with the services of Sri Lanka Government Approvals for Investments, Company Incorporation Services, Legal Services, Tax Consultancy Services, Accounting Services, Auditing Services, Labour Consulting Services.

Further, we provide services of Import & Export Registration, Sri Lanka Visa Facilities for Investors & Employees, Opening of Bank Accounts, facilitate to lease or buy lands in Sri Lanka etc.

5.0 Registered Address in Sri Lanka

Any Company incorporated or registered in Sri Lanka requires an address as Registered or permanent whether company is in Sri Lanka or overseas Company. Address is a mandatory requirement with the Department of Inland Revenue, Sri Lanka Customs or other Government Authorities.

DPR provides such an address in Sri Lanka for overseas companies.