News and insights
28 July 2026
Home Lands’ ‘Pentara’ project cleared by Court of Appeal
Following proceedings before the Court of Appeal, the Home Lands Group has successfully defended legal challenges brought against the statutory approvals granted for its landmark Pentara Residencies development in Colombo 05. By a majority decision, the Court dismissed the writ applications without issuing formal notice, holding that the approvals granted for the project were in compliance with the applicable Development Plan and regulations. The Court also held that the Petitioners had failed to discharge their duty of uberrima fides (utmost good faith) owed to the Court. The Home Lands Group was represented by President's Counsel Kushan De Alwis, President's Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry, President's Counsel Eraj De Silva, together with Attorneys-at-Law Shanaka Cooray, Rajiv Wijesinghe, Naamiq Nafath, Shamith Fernando, Akalanka Ukwatte, Daminda Wijayaratne and Sanjana Mapatuna, instructed by SudathPereraAssociates. For more information: https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Home-Lands-Pentara-project-cleared-by-Court-of-Appeal/44-795221
25 July 2026
𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗜𝗻-𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹, Manoj Bandara, 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿.
𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗜𝗻-𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗹, Manoj Bandara, 𝗮𝘀 𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟱 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿. Marking the occasion, our Founder-Managing Partner, Sudath Perera, shared his congratulations: "𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘫 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘏𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘧𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮. 𝘞𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳."
24 July 2026
Sri Lanka’s Data Privacy Framework Update
There’s been a significant development in the data privacy framework in SriLanka. The President (in his capacity as Minister of Digital Economy) declared, by gazette notification No. 2498/16 - 22nd July 2026) that Sections 2, Section 3, Part I (Processing of Personal Data) and Part III (Controllers & Processors) of the Personal Data Protection Act No. 9 of 2022 (as amended) (“PDPA”), will come into force on 1st January 2027. The result is that controllers and processors will soon be subject to legally enforceable obligations relating to the collection, processing, disclosure and governance of personal data, while the Data Protection Authority of Sri Lanka (DPA), already operational under Part V (bought into operation in July 2023), will be able to exercise its supervisory and enforcement functions. However, Part II (Rights of Data Subjects) is yet to be brought into force, meaning statutory rights of data subjects such as access, rectification, erasure, objection and appeal to the DPA are not yet enforceable. Likewise, Part IV, which regulates the dissemination of solicited messages, has also not yet been brought into operation. So, this development 'appears' to create an interesting and somewhat unusual compliance/enforcement landscape. While the DPA can potentially inquire into and issue directives regarding failures by controllers and processors to comply with obligations under Part I or III (which include complying with the data processing obligations, appointing DPO (where required) and notifying data breaches, pursuant to its rights under section 35 of the PDPA (and this can potentially extend to awarding compensation to persons who have suffered harm, loss or damage due to contraventions of the relevant provisions by controllers/processors), because Part II is not in force, it doesn’t extend to the statutory rights of data subjects under that part of the Act. Part VII (Penalties) has also not as yet been brought into force, which means that while compensation can potentially be awarded, the DPA will not have the power to impose administrative penalties on non-compliant organizations (i.e., from 1st Jan 2027). This incremental/staggered approach to implementation of the Act does, however, make sense and is commendable. Organizations (controllers and processors) now have a legally binding obligation to start establishing their privacy compliance frameworks, as come the new year, they will potentially be in violation of SL's generally applicable data protection law if they do not. However, deferring the imposition of data subject rights to a later date, allows such organizations to first establish and become conversant with such frameworks, before they become exposed to data subject claims. Sudath Perera Associates will be issuing an e-alert in due course. For the moment, take these as initial personal comments/views (made on a Saturday morning, before my 2nd coffee).
24 July 2026
Japan’s NGK secures success in brand protection case in SL
Japanese automotive giant Niterra Co. Ltd., the proprietor of the NGK brand (with Douglas and Sons Ltd being its sole authorised agent for NGK spark plugs in Sri Lanka), recently pursued criminal action directly against several wholesale entities including Sajana Motors, involved in selling and possessing counterfeit NGK-branded spark plugs in Sri Lanka. As a result, the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) conducted criminal raid operations against the said spark plug dealer located in Horana, following complaints filed by Niterra Co. through their local legal representatives, Sudath Perera Associates. Based on applications submitted by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), the Horana Magistrate issued a search warrant against the entities, causing the seizure of counterfeit NGK products displaying registered logos and trademarks. Subsequently, the raid executed at the said infringing entity was carried out, and the CCD was able to seize and take into custody a large volume of counterfeit NGK branded spark plugs which were in the possession of the aforementioned accused entity, which were manufactured and/or sourced through illegal channels and suspected to be utilised to package and sell counterfeit products under the disguise of genuine NGK spark plugs. The sale of and dealing in counterfeit products is a strict violation and a criminal offense under the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2006. Counterfeit products pose a major threat not only to the legitimate brand owners but also to the unsuspecting consumers as well. While this unlawful and/or illegal conduct causes substantial damage, reputation, and economic loss to the brand owners, it also poses severe safety issues to the unsuspecting consumers. As these counterfeit products are related to vehicle engines, there is a grave concern of consumer safety and road safety when unsuspecting consumers use these counterfeit products, as there is no assurance that these products are manufactured adhering to the quality and safety standards pertaining to the safe functioning of motor vehicles, especially considering the growing number of motor vehicle accidents recorded in Sri Lanka presently. Furthermore, such counterfeit products also present negative results to all other stakeholders from lost taxes to the Government, royalties and other revenues, loss of goodwill and reputation and reduced incentive to innovate and invest, hence it is therefore fundamental that steps are taken to enforce the laws to protect intellectual property rights to safeguard brand owners as well as the consumers. The suspect pleaded guilty and was fined Rs. 250,000 by the Magistrate of Horana. A court order was also issued for the destruction of the counterfeit products seized during the raid.
01 July 2026
Raids uncover suspected counterfeit engine oil operations
Counterfeit products are more than an intellectualproperty issue - they pose serious risks to consumers, businesses, and the environment. In the case of counterfeit lubricants, the consequences can include engine damage, increased emissions, costly repairs, and compromised vehicle safety, while also undermining the reputation of legitimate brands. A coordinated anti-counterfeiting operation led by the 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 (CCD), acting on a complaint made on behalf of one of the world's leading energy companies through its local legal representatives, 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀, resulted in the seizure of suspected counterfeit engine oil bearing the Caltex and Delo brands from multiple locations in Mawanella and Kegalle. The operation demonstrates the importance of effective collaboration between brand owners, law enforcement authorities, and legal professionals in combating IP crime. Such enforcement efforts are essential not only to protect valuable intellectual property rights but also to safeguard consumers, preserve fair competition, and uphold the integrity of the marketplace. 𝗔𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲'𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗯𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.
31 May 2026
“𝘚𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢 𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘶 𝘴𝘶𝘬𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢” — May all beings be happy.
As Sri Lanka commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing ('Parinirvana') of the Buddha, may we reflect on the values of compassion, wisdom, and loving-kindness that continue to inspire millions around the world. “𝘚𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢 𝘣𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘶 𝘴𝘶𝘬𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘢” — May all beings be happy. May this Vesak bring peace, understanding, and well-being to you and your loved ones. 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗩𝗲𝘀𝗮𝗸 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀.
21 May 2026
𝗦𝗿𝗶𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮’s 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 ‘𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽’ (𝗨𝗕𝗢) 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, marking a significant development in the country’s corporate transparency and compliance landscape.
𝗦𝗿𝗶𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮's 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 '𝗨𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽' (𝗨𝗕𝗢) 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, marking a significant development in the country’s corporate transparency and compliance landscape. Our latest briefing note, prepared by Minidi Gamalath (Partner/Head Company Secretary) and Anuji Jayatillake (Senior Associate) of SPA Corporate Services (Pvt) Ltd, provides a practical and detailed guide to the new UBO disclosure requirements, key filing deadlines, and immediate compliance steps for companies operating in SL. For further information, please contact Minidi, Anuji, your usual contact at SudathPereraAssociates, or SPA Corporate Services (Pvt) Ltd.
04 May 2026
𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀.
𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀. Please join us in congratulating: • Eresha Weerasuriya – 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 (𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘄) • Lakna Ukwatta – 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘄) • Dulmini Gamage – 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝘄) • Anuji Jayatillake – 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗦𝗣𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀) • Kasuni Ranaweera – 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) • Madhubhashani Dissanayake – 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) • Lakshani Perera – 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 (𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) • Dinushi Ranasinghe – 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 (𝗦𝗣𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀) We are proud to recognise their contributions and look forward to their continued role in driving the firm forward.
29 April 2026
International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting from 2nd – 8th May 2026
Our Founder-Managing Partner, Sudath Perera, will be in London for the International Trademark Association (INTA) Annual Meeting from 2nd - 8th May 2026. Please reach out to Sudath directly, or email info@sudathpereraassociates.com for meeting requests.
13 April 2026
Sudath Perera Associates wishes you a joyous and prosperous Sinhala & Tamil New Year.
Sudath Perera Associates wishes you a joyous and prosperous Sinhala & Tamil New Year. May Avurudu (Sinhalese) / Puthandu (Tamil) bring renewed beginnings, continued success, and prosperity in the year ahead.