The practice at D. L. & F. De Saram has vast experience in handling a broad array of banking and finance work for its impressive client portfolio, which includes well known names such as HSBC Bank, Citigroup UK and China Development Bank. Key areas of instruction for the team includes advising on complex domestic and cross-border transactions, high-value project finance transactions, term loan facilities, and regulatory matters. Savantha De Saram, Prabash De Saram and Aloka Nandasena jointly head the department.
Banking and finance in Sri Lanka
D. L. & F. De Saram
Responsables de la pratique:
Savantha De Saram; Prabash De Saram; Aloka Nandasena
Principaux clients
BPPL Holdings PLC
Adani International Ports Holdings Pte. Ltd
International Finance Corporation
Asian Development Bank
China Development Bank
Mast Industries (Far East) Limited
Citigroup, UK
HSBC Bank PLC
Standard Chartered Bank
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Principaux dossiers
- Advising BPPL Holdings PLC on the financing facility proposed to be obtained from the US International Development Finance Corporation by the client and its indirect subsidiary.
- Advised Adani International Ports Holding Pte. Ltd on the proposed term loan facility to be provided to Colombo West International Terminal Limited.
F. J. & G. De Saram
F. J. & G. De Saram is particularly prominent in assisting a solid client portfolio of internationally renowned entities, including names such as Deutsche Bank AG, Mastercard and Union Bank PLC, with the full spectrum of banking and financing matters. The team is well equipped to assist with cases involving structured finance products, including derivatives, asset-backed securitisations and Islamic financing products. Ayomi Aluwihare is at the helm of the practice, leading alongside Himali Mudadeniya, who regularly advises international banks, multilateral credit agencies and other international financial institutions on debt financings in Sri Lanka, and Manjula Ellepola, a key figure for advising on complex security aspects of project financing transactions. Tilani Ford is another name to note.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ayomi Aluwihare; Himali Mudadeniya; Manjula Ellepola
Autres avocats clés:
Tilani Ford
Les références
‘The professionalism and quality of work are the things the firm is really renowned for.’
‘Their quality output makes them a much sought-after firm.’
‘Very polite and professional staff, easily approachable.’
Principaux clients
International Finance Corporation
Citibank N.A.
Deutsche Bank AG
J P Morgan Chase Bank
Mastercard
Union Bank PLC
Hatton National Bank PLC
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
Nations Trust Bank PLC
DFCC Bank PLC
State Bank of India
NDB Investment Bank
Citizens Development Bank Finance PLC
Capital Alliance Investments Limited
Berendina Group
Vision Fund Lanka
Hela Apparel Holdings
Nithya Partners
The team at Nithya Partners acts for entities such as the State Bank of India and Bank of China Limited in a range of banking and finance matters. The group's workload includes advising on ultra-high-value facility agreements in international contexts, assisting local banks with loan agreements, and handling the regulatory aspects of transactions. Practice head Naomal Goonewardena and senior associate Chalani Dissanayake are the key figures to note. In September 2023 Peshala Attygalle departed for an in-house role.
Responsables de la pratique:
Naomal Goonewardena
Autres avocats clés:
Chalani Dissanayake
Les références
‘Nithya Partners have a very professional and competent team. They are very strong in banking, finance, corporate, and capital markets-related legal advisory services.’
‘Naomal Goonewardana is a rare professional with expertise in law, tax, and finance. This comes very handy in deal structuring as he brings a wide perspective to the table. He is very innovative and provides unique solutions.’
‘They have always been supportive in all aspects of banking.’
Principaux clients
Bank of China Limited
Seylan Bank PLC
Sampath Bank PLC
Bank of Ceylon
DFCC Bank PLC
State Bank of India
Citizens Development Business Finance PLC
Commercial Leasing and Finance PLC
NDB Investment Bank Limited
Hatton National Bank PLC
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the State Bank of India as lender in relation to an amendment extending the Facility Agreement for a sum of $1bn granted to the Government of Sri Lanka in March 2022.
- Advised a syndicate of local banks in relation to an amendment to the syndicated term loan of a sum of $12m granted to a property development for a project.
- Advised the trade association representing commercial banks in Sri Lanka on representations to be made to the regulator in connection with a proposed financial consumer protection regulation.
Sudath Perera Associates
Sudath Perera Associates‘ practice is headed up by Gamini Balasooriya and Kaushalya Meedeniya. The team is well-equipped to advise well-known domestic banks on both small and medium retail recoveries. Additionally, the group handles the banking and finance aspects of consumer litigation matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gamini Balasooriya; Kaushalya Meedeniya
Les références
‘Timely execution and excellent collaboration.’
‘Kaushalya Meedeniya has been a very reliable and dependable source at the firm who has helped us in many litigation matters.’
Principaux clients
Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Standard Chartered Bank
National Development Bank PLC
Nations Trust Bank PLC
Orient Finance PLC
Dialog Finance PLC
People’s Merchant Finance PLC
HNB Finance PLC
Tiruchelvam Associates
Ramani Muttettuwegama is at the helm of Tiruchelvam Associates‘ banking and finance practice, which advises a list of reputable domestic clients on securities transactions, project financing matters, and mergers and acquisitions. Its clients span the governmental, tech, retail and manufacturing sectors and it has experience handling matters that are cross-jurisdictional in nature.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ramani Muttettuwegama
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the client in the implementation of the Employee Share Option Plans by conducting feasibility studies and reviewing subscription documents.
- Advised a fintech company in the operation of a platform intended to offer payment solutions through a mobile/web interface by collaborating with banking partners who hold the relevant banking license in the jurisdiction.