The cost of company registration Sri Lanka is one of the first questions every entrepreneur asks. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many websites quote a single number — but that number rarely tells the full story.
This guide breaks down every cost involved in registering a Private Limited Company in Sri Lanka. It covers government fees, what drives the total cost up or down, ongoing annual expenses, and the hidden costs that catch most first-time business owners off guard.
By the end, you will know exactly what to budget — and what questions to ask before you start.
Two Cost Types for Company Registration Sri Lanka
Before looking at numbers, understand that the cost of company registration Sri Lanka falls into two distinct categories.
Government fees are the statutory charges you pay directly to the Department of the Registrar of Companies through the eROC portal. These are fixed and non-negotiable. Every company pays the same amounts regardless of which service provider they use.
Professional service fees cover the work a licensed Company Secretary or incorporation firm does on your behalf. These vary depending on your company structure, the complexity of your situation, and the scope of service you need.
Understanding both categories separately helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.
Government Fees: The Fixed Cost of Company Registration Sri Lanka
The Department of the Registrar of Companies sets all government registration fees. These are statutory charges — fixed and non-negotiable for every company regardless of which service provider you use.
Government fees cover name reservation, company registration, director consent forms, company secretary consent, and the Articles of Association. The exact amount depends on your number of directors and company structure.
The Department of the Registrar of Companies publishes all fee schedules on its official website for reference.
You pay government fees directly through the eROC portal by debit or credit card. The Registrar issues a receipt immediately upon payment. Furthermore, there are no hidden government charges beyond the published schedule.
What Affects the Total Cost of Company Registration Sri Lanka?
Several factors drive the total cost higher or lower. Understanding these helps you plan your budget more accurately.
Initial Consultation. Before registration begins, a professional firm assesses your company structure, sector eligibility, shareholding arrangement, and compliance obligations. This consultation ensures the registration sets up correctly from day one. Furthermore, it prevents costly mistakes that are difficult to fix after incorporation.
Company Secretarial Charges. Sri Lankan law requires every Pvt Ltd company to appoint a licensed Company Secretary. This is not optional. The secretarial fee covers document preparation, eROC submission, statutory form execution, and ongoing compliance support. Moreover, the scope of work varies depending on whether your company has local or foreign shareholding, single or multiple directors, and standard or customised Articles of Association.
Number of Directors. Each director requires a separate consent form. Foreign directors also require certified passport copies and additional documentation. Both increase the overall cost.
Local vs. Foreign Shareholding. Companies with foreign shareholders require a trilingual Articles of Association — in English, Sinhala, and Tamil. Additionally, they may require BOI liaison and sector eligibility assessment. As a result, foreign-owned company registrations involve significantly more work than locally-owned ones.
Customised Articles of Association. You may adopt the standard Table A Articles under the Companies Act No. 07 of 2007 at no additional charge. However, if your company needs customised provisions — for example, specific shareholder rights, weighted voting, or investor protections — a bespoke AoA costs more to draft.
Registered Office Address. Every company needs a physical registered address in Sri Lanka. If you do not have premises, you must arrange a registered office address facility. This is an ongoing cost, not a one-time fee. ASAC provides this facility for clients who need it — learn more about our company registration services here.
Material Costs — Stationery, Seals and Stamps. Every registered company needs a set of physical materials for official use. These include a company seal, a director’s stamp, and a statutory register book for recording minutes, resolutions, and share transactions. Some service providers include these in their package. Others charge separately. Budget for these as part of your total setup cost.
BOI Registration. Companies that require Board of Investment approval face additional application fees and processing timelines on top of standard eROC costs.
Professional Service Fees: Why Every Situation Is Different
Sri Lankan law requires every company to appoint a licensed Company Secretary. You cannot register a Pvt Ltd company without one. Therefore, professional service fees are not optional — they are a legal requirement built into the cost of company registration Sri Lanka.
However, the right fee depends entirely on your situation. A single-director locally-owned startup has very different needs from a multi-director foreign-owned company requiring BOI approval and a customised AoA.
Rather than quoting a number that may not apply to you, ASAC prefers to understand your specific situation first. We then give you a clear, accurate quote with no hidden extras and no surprises.
Book a 15-minute call with our team below and we will give you a full cost breakdown tailored to your company.
Ongoing Costs After Company Registration Sri Lanka
The cost of company registration Sri Lanka does not stop at incorporation. Running a compliant company involves ongoing annual expenses. Budget for these from the start.
Company Secretarial Retainer
After registration, your company must maintain a licensed Company Secretary on an ongoing basis. This retainer typically covers preparation and filing of the Annual Return (Form 15), maintenance of statutory registers, preparation of board resolutions and minutes, and general compliance support throughout the year.
Annual Return Filing (Form 15)
You must file your first Annual Return within 18 months of incorporation. After that, file it annually. The government filing fee depends on your company’s share capital. Furthermore, late filing attracts penalties of up to LKR 100,000 for the company and LKR 50,000 for officers in default.
Accounting and Audit
All companies must maintain accurate accounting records under Section 148 of the Companies Act. If your company meets the statutory audit threshold, you must also appoint a registered auditor. Annual accounting and audit fees vary based on your transaction volume and business complexity.
Tax Registration and Filing
TIN registration now triggers automatically upon eROC incorporation. However, ongoing income tax return preparation and filing carries an annual cost. If your turnover exceeds LKR 3 million per quarter, VAT registration and quarterly returns add further to this. Learn more at the Inland Revenue Department’s e-services portal.
Cost of Registering Different Business Types in Sri Lanka
The cost of company registration Sri Lanka also varies across different business structures. The government fees above apply to a standard Private Limited Company. However, other structures carry different costs.
Public Limited Company
Public companies face higher registration fees, stricter compliance requirements, and significantly higher ongoing costs due to Securities and Exchange Commission obligations.
Company Limited by Guarantee
Guarantee companies — used for NGOs, associations, and professional bodies — follow a different fee structure. They carry no share capital, so share-based fees do not apply. However, governance and compliance costs remain. ASAC has extensive experience registering guarantee companies in Sri Lanka.
Sole Proprietorship
Sole proprietorships register at the Divisional Secretariat rather than through eROC. Registration fees are significantly lower. However, sole proprietorships offer no limited liability protection and limited access to business banking and financing.
Branch Office of a Foreign Company
Registering a branch office of an overseas company carries a higher government fee. Additionally, ongoing compliance costs are higher because of the reporting obligations between the branch and the parent company.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Several additional costs surprise first-time business owners. Plan for these before you start.
Domain name registration. Secure a .lk domain immediately after name approval. The LK Domain Registry handles .lk registrations. If you wait, someone else may register it first.
Company seal and director stamps. Some service providers include these in their package. Others charge separately. These are small but necessary for official documents and resolutions.
Corporate bank account setup. Most banks in Sri Lanka do not charge a fee to open a corporate account. However, minimum balance requirements vary. Check these before choosing your bank.
Trademark registration. Registering your company name as a trademark with the Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka is a separate process. It is optional but strongly recommended. A registered company name does not automatically protect your brand — a registered trademark does. ASAC provides trademark registration services if you need guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum government fee to register a company in Sri Lanka? The minimum government fee for a single-director Pvt Ltd company is approximately LKR 13,200 to LKR 16,000 inclusive of VAT. This covers name reservation, Form 1, Form 18, Form 19, and the Articles of Association.
Are there hidden government fees? No. The Department of the Registrar of Companies publishes all fees on the DRC website. You pay these transparently through the eROC portal. There are no undisclosed government charges.
Can I register a company myself to reduce costs? Technically yes. However, you still need a licensed Company Secretary — which means professional fees apply regardless. Furthermore, errors in self-prepared forms result in rejections and resubmission delays. Most entrepreneurs find that using a professional service saves time and reduces total cost.
Does the registration cost include TIN registration? TIN registration now triggers automatically when your company incorporates through eROC. Therefore, there is no separate government fee. However, some professional service packages include TIN follow-up assistance as part of their scope — confirm this with your provider.
How much does ongoing compliance cost per year? Ongoing annual compliance costs depend on your business activity, transaction volume, and chosen service provider. Book a call with ASAC and we will give you a clear picture of what to budget for your specific situation.
How ASAC Can Help
Ananda Sirisena & Company (ASAC) provides transparent, all-inclusive pricing for company registration in Sri Lanka. We do not use hidden fees. Furthermore, we review every application before submission to minimise the risk of rejection and resubmission costs.
Our team includes Chartered Secretaries, Chartered Accountants, and an Attorney. As a result, we cover the legal, governance, and financial dimensions of your company setup comprehensively — all under one roof.
Every company situation is different. Therefore, we prefer a short conversation before quoting. Book a 15-minute call above. We will assess your specific requirements and give you a clear, accurate fee breakdown with no obligation.
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