Hafsa Ifthikar

Hafsa is a Partner in the firm’s Corporate & Commercial Law Department.

Background & expertise

Hafsa advises local and international clients on a broad range of corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, with particular expertise in foreign exchange-related laws and regulations in Sri Lanka. Her practice includes advising on inbound and outbound FDI, regulatory compliance, Colombo Port City-related matters, M&A, joint ventures, corporate financing arrangements, corporate restructurings, fintech and data protection related matters. She regularly advises multinational corporations, financial institutions, fintech companies and investors on cross-border transactions and complex regulatory and compliance considerations in Sri Lanka.

Hafsa has over 10 years of experience practising law. Prior to joining Sudath Perera Associates in 2018, she worked in the Tax Department at Ernst & Young Sri Lanka, where she gained valuable experience in Sri Lankan tax law and tax advisory matters.

Notable matters

• Advised Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited in connection with the sale of its global consumer business to Lactalis Group
  https://www.fonterra.com/lk/en/our-stories/media/fonterra-completes-sale-of-mainland-group-to-lactalis.html
• Advised EXIM Bank of Malaysia in relation to its multi-million USD Sharia-compliant secured financing facilities for Hyrax Oil Sdn. Bhd.
• Advised Circularity Capital LLP on its PE investment into the UK headquartered Cocogreen group of companies
  https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/circularity-capital-supports-cocogreen-growth-capital-investment/
  • Advised Vestas A/S, the EPC contractor for the 104Mw, ADB funded, wind power project in Mannar, Sri Lanka
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thambapavani_Wind_Farm
  • Advised Varistor AG, on its investment into Tahoma Coconut Products (Pvt) Ltd
  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/varistor_announcement-coconut-organic-activity-7082252369605865472-JphA
• Advised Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC, on its amalgamation with its subsidiary
  https://cdn.cse.lk/cmt/announcement_portal_prod/LION-CSE-ANN-2022-NS-07%20-%20Amalgamation%20of%20LION%20%20PSPL-signed_31911951976954.pdf

Academic & professional qualifications, memberships, associations and accreditations

Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London and a Master of Business Administration from Cardiff Metropolitan University. She also holds a Professional Qualification in Human Resource Management (PQHRM) from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Sri Lanka. Hafsa is an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and a lifetime member of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

Accolades & recognition

• Lawyer of the Year – Asialaw – Client Choice Award (2025)
• Next Generation Partner – Legal 500 (Asia Pacific) 2026

Publications

Co-author, Sri Lanka chapter, “Shareholders’ Rights & Shareholder Activism 2023” – Chambers & Partners.

Testimonials

“Hafsa is responsive, detail-oriented, and demonstrates a solid understanding of local legal and regulatory frameworks. She communicates clearly and delivers her work in a timely and professional manner. Her ability to provide concise, actionable advice was particularly valuable in a cross-border transaction context.”

Asialaw Profiles (2025)