Banking & Finance
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Sri Lanka
Band 1
About
Provided by DL & F De Saram
Specializations
Key work of the Department includes both domestic and cross border banking and project finance transactions. The Department has acted as local counsel on several cross-border matters alongside international law firms, such as Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow, Clifford Chance and Allen & Overy.
Categories of Clients
The recurrent clients of the Department includes Pan Asia Banking Corporation, HSBC Bank PLC, Export-Import Bank of China, Asian Development Bank, Citibank N.A. The Firm has also been appointed to the legal panels of Standard Chartered Bank and Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation for the current period.
Recent Work Highlights
Recent work highlights of the Department includes advising a banking syndicate on the provision acquisition financing of USD 360Mn to PGP Glass Private Limited, India to acquire an Indian entity with a listed subsidiary in Sri Lanka, advising Pan Asia Banking Corporation and Symbiotics SA on the USD 7.75Mn Green Bond issuance and advising Pan Asia Banking Corporation on the term loan facility of USD 10.75Mn obtained from Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Bonds S.A., Symbiotics S.A.
Chambers Review
DL & F De Saram is a trusted legal advisor to a number of major global banks on corporate and regulatory matters in Sri Lanka. The firm is active in derivative and other structured finance transactions, as well as loan facilities and banking regulatory matters. The team frequently acts as co-counsel alongside international law firms on cross-border matters. The lawyers advise on project finance matters as well as payment services and corporate acquisitions.
Work Highlights
- DL & F De Saram advised HSBC on Sri Lankan selling and transfer restrictions appear in the NWP Market Access Base Prospectus based on the local foreign exchange laws and regulations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"DL & F De Saram is one of the best law firms to work with in the country in terms of service levels, timely delivery and responsiveness."
"They are very apt and experienced in being able to handle complex transactions. The lawyers have strong commercial awareness."
"DL & F De Saram is one of the best law firms to work with in the country in terms of service levels, timely delivery and responsiveness."
"They are very apt and experienced in being able to handle complex transactions. The lawyers have strong commercial awareness."
Notable Practitioners
Aloka Nandasena regularly advises both banks and borrowers on a range of financing facilities, including term loans and project finance. She also advises on structured finance and banking regulatory matters.
"Aloka is a subject matter expert in legal M&A and is very practical to work with. She ensures commercial terms are workable with clients and also provides adequate protection from a legal context."
"Aloka is a very dedicated lawyer who is willing to work round the clock if needed."
Savantha De Saram has a strong reputation in the market for his expertise in structured finance and project finance transactions, as well as regulatory matters.
"Savantha is by far one of the most knowledgeable lawyers in the country terms of his commercial and legal acumen and local expertise."
"He is a fantastic leader in addition to being a very astute lawyer, and is excellent in negotiation."
Ranked Lawyers at
DL & F De Saram
Sri Lanka
Members
Provided by DL & F De Saram
Aloka Nandasena
Head of Department
Aruni Marcelline
Dilhara Mahbarana
Hansi Abayaratne
Inshira Hanifa
Head of Department
Ushara Ratnayake
Clients
Provided by DL & F De Saram
Asian Development Bank
Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait BSC
Capital Alliance Partners Limited
Citibank, N.A
Commerzbank AG
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Pan Asia Banking Corporation
Standard Chartered Bank
Symbiotics SA
Wells Fargo Bank, N. A
Industries
Provided by DL & F De Saram
Banking and Financial Services
Investment and Private Equity