Expertise. Innovation. Responsiveness.
These are some of our key attributes. We believe that legal solutions should be practical, commercially sound and innovative, with a focus on business objectives being as critical as legal acumen. So, whether it’s a complex dispute or a high value transaction, our strategies and legal teams are always built on a common value proposition – one that’s client centric and pragmatic. That’s why some of the country’s best-known businesses, as well as leading global brands and numerous Fortune 500 companies, trust us as their go-to law firm in Sri Lanka.
Daring to be different
The story of Sudath Perera Associates is deeply intertwined with the vision and drive of our eponymous Managing Partner, Sudath Perera.
In early 2002, following over a decade in private practice and having been a founder-partner at another prominent law firm in Sri Lanka, Sudath embarked on an ambitious journey to create a progressive, innovative and different legal services provider; one that was geared towards the needs of an emerging and increasingly globalised Sri Lankan economy. Sharing his ideals and vision, 14 other lawyers and numerous administrative and support staff members, many of whom still remain integral to the firm, immediately joined him. On 2nd July 2002, Sudath Perera Associates was formally established.
The firm initially operated from a modest converted townhouse at No. 51, Kassapa Road in Central Colombo. In 2011, it acquired and relocated to a dedicated office space at No. 5, 9th Lane, Nawala, a suburb of Colombo. By 2016, Sudath Perera Associates expanded further, moving into ‘Paramount Tower,’ a state-of-the art and purpose-built seven-story commercial building adjacent to its Nawala offices. In 2024, the firm again extended its workspace by occupying several floors within No. 192/6, 9th Lane, Nawala, a newly built mixed-use development. These strategically located offices, all within immediate proximity to each other and a short driving distance from other key business and administrative centers in Colombo, enable seamless collaboration among the firm’s diverse legal practice groups and affiliated companies, ensuring efficient and integrated service delivery.
Today, Sudath Perera Associates is internationally recognised as one of Sri Lanka’s leading law firms. Our reputation and standing reflect the commitment of our people to the core values and principles that govern us. It is also a testament to one lawyer’s desire to be different.
“A highly skilled, experienced and dynamic team of individuals who are highly dependable.”
Legal 500 (Asia Pacific)
“Sudath Perera Associates has high commercial awareness and is capable of providing consultation services from the client’s business perspectives. The firm has an extensive and diversified team.”
Chambers Asia-Pacific
“Its lawyers are very responsive and are very knowledgeable.”
IFLR1000
Legal Awards and Accolades.
Our commitment to excellence has earned recognition from numerous international legal directories and prestigious organisations. These achievements reflect our dedication to legal excellence, innovation, and our commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients. From industry awards to peer-reviewed honors, each accolade represents the hard work and expertise of our team. Explore this section to learn more about the milestones that have shaped our reputation for excellence.
Key Facts
- TERRALEX® exclusive member for Sri Lanka
- REACT® (The Anti-Counterfeiting Network) exclusive member firm – Sri Lanka
- Hon. Legal Counsel for SLASSCOM – The Sri Lankan Association of IT & ITES Companies
The firm is also a longstanding member of multiple business chambers and trade associations in Sri Lanka, including AMCHAM (the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka), Australia – New Zealand Business Council, the Council for Business with Britain, the Sri Lanka Japan Business Council and the Sri Lanka China Business Council.
Additionally, many of the firm’s lawyers are individual members of various international legal associations as well, including the International Bar Association (IBA), the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), the International Trademark Association (INTA), the Commonwealth Lawyer Association (CLA) and the Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) and they actively participate in the various international and regional conferences organised by these associations.
Contributing to
our community
“Shramadhana” – a uniquely Sri Lankan concept, referring to the free provision, or ‘gift’, of labour.
At Sudath Perera Associates, we consider that the true value of legal expertise extends beyond business and into the heart of our wider community within Sri Lanka. Our dedication to meaningful contributions is woven into the fabric of who we are. Through various pro-bono legal services, we ensure access to justice for those who might otherwise be overlooked or for whom the costs of such access may be prohibitive. Our scholarship schemes and charitable initiatives are designed to support and empower underprivileged individuals, particularly in rural areas, fostering opportunities for secondary and higher education, employment and impact entrepreneurship. Our senior lawyers also regularly contribute their time and expertise towards learning & development programs for the legal profession, such as continuous professional development (CPD) and practical training seminars and courses initiated by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), industry associations and other similar non-governmental organisations.
These efforts reflect our belief that a law firm’s role should go beyond delivering legal expertise – it should actively contribute to shaping a more just, equitable and prosperous society. Our commitment to community engagement is driven by a vision of shared success, where our lawyers and resources help foster opportunities, inspire positive change, and support the well-being of those around us.
Some of our programs:
- Sri Lankan member of TrustLaw, the global pro bono legal network of the Thomson Reuters Foundation
Some of the projects we have supported through voluntary legal services, as part of TrustLaw, include the ‘BLAST (Bangladesh Legal Aid and Service Trust’ (2016), the ‘Motivation Charitable Trust UK’ (2018), ‘Swasti’ (2019) ‘Gaswala Vision Foundation’ (2019), the ‘All Survivors Project’ (2020), the ‘Happy Child International Foundation’ (2022) and the ‘Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development All Survivors Project Foundation’ (2024).
- Pro-bono legal services provider – The Indira Cancer Trust
The Indira Cancer Trust was set up by the family of the late Indira Jayasuriya, the younger daughter of the Hon. Karu Jayasuriya (Former Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Government Minister and Parliamentarian), to carry out charitable initiatives and programs to provide support to cancer patients and their families. The firm has been providing pro bono legal services to the trust since 2022. - Honorary Legal Counsel – SLASSCOM
SLASSCOM is the national chamber for the Knowledge and Innovation (IT&BPM) industry in Sri Lanka. With over 300 members, SLASSCOM plays a pivotal role in sustaining the growth of the knowledge and innovation (IT&BPM) industry with a workforce of more than 144,000 at its member companies and accounting for approximately 90% of Sri Lanka’s IT&BPM industry export revenues. As honorary legal counsel, the firm guides and advises SLASSCOM’s leadership, on a voluntary basis, on all legal matters relating to its operations and activities. - Pro-bono legal services provider – Foundation of Goodness
The Foundation of Goodness, established by renowned philanthropist Kushil Gunasekera, is a highly reputed charitable/non-governmental organisation in Sri Lanka focusing on rural community development and empowerment related social services. We have been extensively involved with the foundation, through the provision of pro-bono legal services as well as financial assistance, since the devastation caused to Sri Lanka’s coastal communities by the 2004 Asian Tsunami. - Sponsorship – South Asia International Economic Law Network (SAIELN) annual conference in Sri Lanka
Sudath Perera Associates was a silver sponsor for SAIELN’s 4th biennial conference, held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. - Financial support for charitable projects
The firm regularly provides financial contributions and donations to charitable causes in Sri Lanka, with recent completed projects including piped water projects within the Sri Lankan dry zone, the establishment of a fully equipped IT lab for an impoverished national school in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka, eye clinics and health camps, cash donations for flood relief and during the economic crisis in 2021/22, funded Covid-19 relief programs, sponsorships for underprivileged students for secondary and higher education needs, and financial support for charitable projects of such non-governmental organisations such as the Voice for Voiceless Foundation and the Foundation of Goodness.
