What are the opening hours?

Monday 08:30 - 17:00 Tuesday 08:30 - 17:00 Wednesday 08:30 - 17:00 Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 Friday 08:30 - 17:00

D L & F De Saram

Home
Sri Lanka
Colombo
D L & F De Saram

D. L. & F. De Saram features a legal team of partners and associates that provide personal attention De Saram is one of the oldest law firms in Sri Lanka.

Attorney's At Law & Notaries Public

Founded in 1898 by Richard Francis De Saram and continued in partnership by his two sons Douglas and Fred De Saram, the firm of D. We advise and address the needs of domestic and international clients, both personal and corporate, in areas of Civil and Commercial Law.

23/03/2026

Our Managing Partner, Savantha De Saram, recently returned from Singapore after attending the Thomson Reuters 2026 Asia Pacific Legal Executive Briefing, attended by managing partners and senior leaders from law firms across Asia Pacific, Australia and New Zealand.

The briefing brought together law firm leaders to discuss many of the issues shaping our profession today, including the deployment of AI in legal practice, building future-ready teams, client expectations, law firm profitability, and the broader transformation of the legal industry.

For a firm from a smaller jurisdiction like Sri Lanka, participating in discussions of this nature is both valuable and energising. The opportunity to listen to peers who are leading some of the region’s most respected firms, exchange perspectives, and reflect on how these developments translate to our own market was immensely worthwhile.

Our thanks to the Thomson Reuters team for convening such a thoughtful and well-curated programme, and for the warm hospitality extended throughout the event.

17/03/2026

What happens if you die without a Last Will? Your estate may be distributed in a manner you did not intend.

In Sri Lanka, when no valid Last Will exists, succession is governed by either the general law of intestate succession or the applicable personal law of the individual, which may not align with your wishes and could give rise to disputes or uncertainty.

See below our article by Rashini Gunawardhana, which outlines how intestate succession operates under Sri Lankan law and why advance estate planning is essential.

12/03/2026

We are pleased to share that Jivan Goonetilleke, Senior Partner at D. L. & F. De Saram, will be speaking at the National Labour Law Symposium organised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, taking place on 23 March 2026 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo.

The symposium will bring together members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, and industry professionals to discuss key developments shaping employment and labour law in Sri Lanka, including evolving workplace dynamics, statutory obligations, dispute resolution, and issues of compliance and social welfare.

We look forward to what promises to be a valuable forum for discussion on the future of labour and employment law in Sri Lanka.

08/03/2026

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women whose dedication, leadership, and commitment continue to shape our profession and our future.

The theme “Give to Gain” reminds us that when we create opportunities, support one another, and foster an environment of respect and inclusion, we build stronger teams and a stronger profession for everyone.

Today, and every day, we recognise and appreciate the women of D. L. & F. De Saram whose contributions inspire progress and excellence.

Happy International Women’s Day.

06/03/2026

We were pleased to take part in the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) Annual Meeting and Conference 2026, held in from 25 to 28 February 2026. The conference brought together legal practitioners and industry leaders from across jurisdictions to exchange perspectives on developments shaping the global legal landscape.

Representing D. L. & F. De Saram, our Managing Partner Savantha De Saram and Senior Partner Jivan Goonetilleke attended the conference and joined discussions covering a wide range of cross-border legal, regulatory, and commercial developments across the Asia-Pacific region.

Our thanks to the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) and the organisers for convening such a well-attended and engaging forum that continues to strengthen collaboration within the international legal community.

27/02/2026

We are pleased to welcome our newest group of interns to D. L. & F. De Saram.

Please join us in welcoming Sierra Lily Dissanayake, Afliha Ayoobkhan, Shalini Wickramaratne, Akhil Ishan Skanthakumar, Yasmi Aswini, Sheshni S. Hettiarachchi, and Tiani Goonewardene.

During their time with us, they will gain insight into the practical workings of a law firm and exposure to various areas of legal practice. We look forward to supporting their professional development and wish them every success in this next stage of their journey.

23/02/2026

We are happy to share that Aloka Nandasena, Head of Corporate at D. L. & F. De Saram, will be speaking at the National Capital Markets Symposium organised by the BAR ASSOCIATION OF SRI LANKA on 26 February 2026 at Cinnamon Life.

Aloka will be part of Session 02 on “Listing and Investing in Capital Markets”, joining an experienced panel of market and industry professionals to discuss practical perspectives on listings, investment structuring, and regulatory developments shaping Sri Lanka’s capital markets.

The Symposium brings together regulators, the CSE, practitioners, and industry leaders for what should be a meaningful discussion on strengthening and deepening our capital markets framework.

20/02/2026

We were pleased to attend the INTA-Amazon 2026 Pre-Annual Meeting Reception in , hosted by the International Trademark Association (INTA) in collaboration with Amazon.

As sport becomes increasingly global and digitally driven, the discussions explored the expanding role of intellectual property in protecting brand trust, enabling innovation, and sustaining long-term value. The panel offered thoughtful perspectives on brand management in the age of social media, community-led engagement, and AI-powered monitoring, underscoring the need for agility, collaboration, and clear governance frameworks.

Representing D. L. & F. De Saram, Manjula Sirimane and Manavi Seneviratne were pleased to be part of these conversations on the future of sports and IP.

Our thanks to INTA and Amazon for convening a timely and engaging forum.

17/02/2026

Wishing you all a Happy Chinese New Year!

祝我们所有客户、同事和朋友新年快乐！

12/02/2026

We are pleased to share our latest recognitions in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 rankings:

⭐ 09 Total Rankings
⭐ 08 Tier 1 Rankings
⭐ 03 Leading Associates
⭐ 06 Next Generation Partners
⭐ 03 Leading Partners
⭐ 01 Hall of Fame

These results reflect the strength and depth of our teams across multiple practice areas and the continued trust placed in us by our clients.

What is particularly gratifying is the recognition across generations: senior leadership, next generation partners, and emerging leaders, all acknowledged for their contribution.

Thank you to our clients and peers!

10/02/2026

Should landlords be concerned?

The Protection of Occupants Bill 2026 is aimed at regulating the removal of persons in lawful occupation of premises. It seeks to curb non-judicial eviction methods and requires disputes over possession to be addressed through court processes.

Following several petitions filed before the Supreme Court, the Government has indicated that the Bill, in its present form, will be reviewed by a newly appointed committee.

For more details, read more: https://www.desaram.com/protection-of-occupants-bill-2026-sri-lanka/

05/02/2026

Our Managing Partner, Savantha De Saram, and Senior Partner, Jivan Goonetilleke, will be representing the firm in New Delhi at the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) Annual Meeting and Conference, taking place from 25 to 28 February 2026.

We look forward to connecting with peers and clients to exchange perspectives and discuss legal developments and opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region.

Address

Alexandra Place
Colombo
00700

Opening Hours

Monday	08:30 - 17:00
Tuesday	08:30 - 17:00
Wednesday	08:30 - 17:00
Thursday	08:30 - 17:00
Friday	08:30 - 17:00

Telephone

+94112695782

Website

http://www.desaram.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when D L & F De Saram posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to D L & F De Saram:

Shortcuts

Address
Telephone
Opening Hours
Alerts
Contact The Practice
Claim ownership or report listing

Want your practice to be the top-listed Law Practice in Colombo?