A Quick Guide to Incorporating a Company in Sri Lanka

Setting up a company in Sri Lanka involves a handful of core steps: choosing and reserving a company name with the Registrar of Companies, preparing the constitutional documents (Articles of Association), appointing directors and a company secretary, deciding on the initial shareholding structure, and submitting the incorporation application with the required supporting documents.

Foreign investors and overseas businesses have some additional considerations, including sector-specific approvals, BOI-related registrations where relevant, and decisions around the most appropriate structure — a locally incorporated company, a branch office, or a liaison office.

Once incorporated, a company also takes on ongoing statutory obligations — annual return filings, maintaining statutory registers, and keeping corporate records up to date — which is where ongoing company secretarial support becomes useful.

This guide is general information only and does not constitute professional advice. Requirements can vary depending on the type of entity, the sector, and whether foreign shareholding or investment is involved. Contact us to discuss your specific incorporation requirements.