Leading Partners

Next Generation Partners

Intellectual property in Sri Lanka

LegalBase

LegalBase’s intellectual property team advises international and domestic clients across all aspects of IP management, enforcement, and protection. The group is led by Ali Tyebkhan, who oversees a practice spanning trademark registration, anti-counterfeiting measures, and digital rights enforcement. Tyebkhan focuses on multi-jurisdictional IP portfolios and the use of AI-based monitoring systems for online infringement, while Sudath Perera's practice covers contentious matters and brand protection strategy. Legal directors Natasha Burhan and Sashika Anandappa support the coordination of cross-border mandates and oversee client portfolios in sectors including fashion, technology, and consumer goods.

Praxisleiter:

Ali Tyebkhan


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Natasha Burhan; Sashika Anandappa; Sudath Perera


Referenzen

‘Great responsiveness and customer-solution oriented.’

‘They make you feel as if you were their sole client.’

Kernmandanten

M Advocates


Al Dahbashi Gray


Symons IP


The Smarty Train Limited


Plasseraud IP


Dilmah


K10 Apprenticeships Limited


Broker Back Office Limited


Eswaran Brothers


Mithril Asset Management


George Petch International UK


Printsource


Dreyfus


Highlight-Mandate


  • Partnered with Plasseraud IP to combat trademark infringements of its clients in the sports and food and beverage sector and the illegal sale of counterfeit products.
  • Combined with Al Dahbashi Gray to form JV entity Hemaya, which provides online IP protection and reputation management in the Middle East.
  • Providing a wide range of advice to The Smarty Train in respect of the protection of its intellectual property rights.

Sudath Perera Associates

Sudath Perera Associates advises domestic and multinational clients on all aspects of intellectual property protection and enforcement. The practice is jointly led by Sudath Perera and Himani Perera , who oversee trademark, patent and design prosecution, copyright disputes, and brand protection mandates; the former also regularly advises on complex infringement and unfair competition matters, while the latter focuses on IP strategy and portfolio management. The team is particularly active in anti-counterfeiting, seizure raids, and customs enforcement actions. The group also includes Chathurika Rupasinghe Soyza, who leads the trademark practice, and Rajni Weeraarachchi, who specialises in patent filings and related international prosecutions.

Praxisleiter:

Sudath Perera; Himani Perera


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Manoj Bandara; Deshan Hewavithana; Chathurika Rupasinghe Soyza; Rajni Weeraarachchi; Kasun Chamara; Nathaya Nanayakkara


Referenzen

‘They have a well equipped team who are knowledgeable.’

‘Very professional and know what they do.’

‚Experts in IP enforcement, proven and demonstrative results. Thoroughly professional approach with a solid grip of ground level issues.‘

Kernmandanten

PUMA SE


Casio Computer Co. Ltd.


D. Samson & Sons Pvt Ltd (DSI Samson Group)


Honda Motor Co. Ltd


Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Private) Limited


Dedigama Group (Pvt) Ltd


Macksons Care (Pvt) Ltd


Raffles International Limited


Knorr-Bremse AG


Nippon Paint Holdings Sg Pte. Ltd


The Ritz Hotel, Limited


Schaeffler Automotive Buehl GmbH & Co. KG


SITREK Group


Schneider Electric Danmark A/S


Hemas Holdings PLC


Dialog Axiata PLC


Delmege Forsythe & Company Ltd (Consumer)


LEGO Holding A/S


Godiva Belgium B.V./S.R.L.


D. L. & F. De Saram

D. L. & F. De Saram’s intellectual property practice is jointly led by Prabash De Saram and Hasanthie Manukulasooriya, who oversee a team with broad experience across trademark, patent, and design matters. De Saram brings extensive experience in corporate and commercial law to the group’s advisory and transactional work, while Manukulasooriya focuses on registration, portfolio management, and dispute resolution. The team includes associates such as Manavi Seneviratne and Poornima Kathriarachchi, who assist with filings, oppositions, and enforcement proceedings before the National Intellectual Property Office.

Praxisleiter:

Prabash De Saram; Hasanthie Manukulasooriya


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Manavi Seneviratne; Poornima Kathriarachchi; Rashini Gunawardhana


Referenzen

‘Everyone has been very prompt in acknowledging and responding to all queries. All have different years of experience.’

‘Good teamwork even when they are on leave, they respond to all communications.’

‘They practice with high efficiency in their field, offering a helpful and collaborative approach. We highly appreciate their strong expertise, innovative methods, and dedication to achieving practical, client-focused results.’

Kernmandanten

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC


MSN Laboratories Private Limited


Perera and Sons Bakers (Pvt) Ltd


Highlight-Mandate


  • Handling the entire trademark portfolio of Swadeshi Industrial Works.
  • Assisted SN Laboratories with conducting trademark searches, proprietor searches, and trademark registrations in respect of their brands and company logo.
  • Advising Perera and Sons Bakers on the registration of its trademarks relating to the food industry in Sri Lanka.

F. J. & G. De Saram

F. J. & G. De Saram’s intellectual property disputes team is led by Shehara Varia and Avindra Rodrigo, who combine commercial acumen with significant experience in contentious IP and cross-border commercial litigation. Varia brings a strategic understanding of how IP issues intersect with wider corporate activity, while Rodrigo is recognised for his advocacy in complex commercial and IP disputes. The group handles infringement, confidentiality, and contractual cases for international clients, including those in the technology, education, and hospitality sectors. Drushika Amirthanayagam plays a key role in handling IP proceedings before the Director-General of Intellectual Property in Sri Lanka, as well as appearing before local courts.

Praxisleiter:

Shehara Varia; Avindra Rodrigo


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Drushika Amirthanayagam; Sachini Maleesha


Referenzen

‘We have been given an overall good service from them.’

‘Being prompt, professional in their approach and willingness to help us as and when required.’

‘The firm remains a key source of in-depth analysis and research within the legal field in Sri Lanka, able to provide dependable counsel and guidance on complex legal matters.‘

Nithya Partners

Nithya Partners' intellectual property department, led by Chamindi Ekanayake and Chanaka De Silva PC, advises on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious IP work, including trademark prosecution, patent drafting, and enforcement proceedings. The team is noted for its experience in assisting with capacity-building projects and advising on geographical indications. Ekanayake is a recognised practitioner in patent drafting and IP education, often engaged by the World Intellectual Property Organization as a local expert. The group’s client base includes both domestic companies and major multinationals, with Nirusha Ratnatunga  overseeing several key corporate portfolios.

Praxisleiter:

Chamindi Ekanayake; Chanaka De Silva PC


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Nirusha Ratnatunga


Kernmandanten

Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka


Sunshine Holdings PLC


Shaw Wallace Ceylon Limited


Ceylon Fresh Teas (Private) Limited


Citizens Development Business Finance PLC


KIK LANKA (Private) Limited


Getz Pharma International FZ LLC


Anverally & Sons (Pvt) Ltd


Giga Foods (Pvt) Ltd


Lina Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Maliban Biscuit Manufactories with the re-branding of Zellers chocolates by filing the necessary trademark applications.
  • Successfully overturned several trademark refusals issued by the National Intellectual Property Office relating to key sub-brands of Citizens Development Business Finance.
  • Handling the trademark portfolio of Ceylon Fresh Teas, which includes representing the client in ongoing opposition proceedings initiated by competing businesses.

Tiruchelvam Associates

Tiruchelvam Associates’ intellectual property division, led by Ramani Muttettuwegama and Michael Paiva, advises on a broad range of trademark, copyright and patent matters, with a growing focus on cross-border filings and oppositions before the National Intellectual Property Office. The team has also developed experience in IP due diligence and regulatory advice, particularly where intellectual property intersects with data protection and technology regulation. Ashvini Prabakaran plays a key role in managing contentious proceedings, while Yanik Müller and Rasheedha Ramjani support the team’s portfolio management and client liaison work.

Praxisleiter:

Ramani Muttettuwegama; Michael Paiva


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ashvini Prabakaran; Yanik Müller; Rasheedha Ramjani


Referenzen

‘The team is very prompt and supportive with good legal acumen. They endeavour to provide the best solutions to clients‘ IP queries.’

‘Yanik Müller handles all our IP matters and he is very prompt in his responses.’

‘Offers a blend of legal sophistication, innovation, and client care.’

Kernmandanten

Markone International Fze


Galadari Hotels (Lanka) Plc


Himal Southasian


Pt Salim Ivomas Pratama Tbk


Grip (Difc) Ltd.


Shanghai Zenorr Intellectual Property Agency Co., Ltd


Ceylon Hardware Corporation Limited


Lankaloha Hardware Limited


Cdm International (Pvt) Ltd


Women’s Fund Asia


Punjabi Trading Asia Limited


Jin Wang Cheng International Intellectual Property (Beijing) Co., Ltd.


Genelle


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised on the launch of Above Eleven at Galadari Hotel.
  • Successfully represented PT Salim Ivomas Pratama in a contentious matter before NIPO.
  • Advised GRIP (DIFC) on the legal implications of establishing an offshore service entity in Sri Lanka.

Varners

Varners’ intellectual property practice, led by Mahinda Haradasa and Surani Wickramaratna, advises domestic and international clients across the full IP spectrum. The team is active in both prosecution and enforcement, representing global brands such as Merck Sharp & Dohme and Crocodile International before the National Intellectual Property Office and the courts. Haradasa brings strong commercial and regulatory insight to the group, while Wickramaratna handles complex trademark and patent disputes. Achala Jayawardena and Trehani Wickramaratne provide further depth across design, franchising, and licensing matters.

Praxisleiter:

Mahinda Haradasa; Surani Wickramaratna


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Achala Jayawardena; Trehani Wickramaratne


Referenzen

‘What stands out is the firm’s consistency in delivering high-quality service advice and support in handling our IP portfolio. Their dependable communication, timely responses, and steady attention to detail gave us great confidence. ’

‘Surani Wickramaratna – we have great faith and confidence in her leading the team. Under her guidance, the team has consistently delivered high-quality intellectual property support to us.’

‘Varners is a distinguished law firm, consistently delivering reliable legal services, well-reasoned opinions and an impressive turnaround time. They have been professional, responsive, and committed to the utmost throughout the engagement. Their attention to detail and client-centric approach further reflect the firm’s strong work ethic.’

Kernmandanten

Crocodile International Pte Ltd Vs. Lacoste


Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC


Otto Clothing Private Limited


Emerchemie NB (Ceylon) Limited


Hero Investcorp Private Limited


Carson Cumberbatch PLC


Ministry Of Crab Pte Ltd


Boehringer Ingelheim International GMBH


Spruson & Ferguson (Asia) Pte Ltd


SSIZ International (Pvt) Ltd


Highlight-Mandate


  • Representing Crocodile International in a multi-jurisdictional trademark dispute against Lacoste, including successful opposition proceedings before Sri Lanka’s IP Office and ongoing appeals before the Supreme Court.
  • Advising Merck Sharp & Dohme on the protection, enforcement, and strategic management of its trademark portfolio in Sri Lanka.
  • Advising OTTO CLOTHING on trademark portfolio management and enforcement in Sri Lanka.