How long does company registration take in Sri Lanka?

Name approval takes 1–2 working days through the eROC system. After that, incorporation forms (Form 1, 18, 19) are filed and the Certificate of Incorporation is typically issued within 3–5 working days.

What is the minimum number of directors and shareholders?

A Private Limited company in Sri Lanka requires at least one director and one shareholder. The director and shareholder can be the same person, and the director does not have to be a Sri Lankan resident.

What is the government fee to register a company in Sri Lanka?

The government fees come to approximately LKR 16,684, which covers name reservation, incorporation filing (Form 1, 18, 19) and the gazette/newspaper publication required after incorporation.

Is a physical office required to register a company?

Yes. Every company must have a registered office address in Sri Lanka where official notices can be served. A virtual office or your secretary’s address is acceptable provided the company keeps its statutory records there.

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Insights on Company Registration & Trademark in Sri Lanka

Practical, plain-English guides written by our qualified company secretaries and intellectual property agents.

Foreign investor setting up a company in Sri Lanka

Setting Up a Company in Sri Lanka by Foreigners

Dinushka Medagoda·8th Jul 2020

If you are a foreigner and you want to start a company in Sri Lanka, you must comply with the Foreign Exchange Act and its regulations in addition to the Companies Act.

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Company registration process in Sri Lanka

Company Registration in Sri Lanka — Complete Process

Olivia Fernando·7th Jan 2020

Company Incorporation is the legal process used to establish a business as a separate legal entity by registering it under the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007.

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Choosing a Company Name in Sri Lanka

Malithi Wijesinghe·7th Feb 2020

When registering a Company, deciding a suitable name is important. This guide covers the rules, restrictions and public notice requirements under the Companies Act.

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