How to Register a Company in Sri Lanka (2025 Guide)
May 23, 2025

Start Strong Legally & Build Your Online Presence with SriLanka Hosting
Starting a business in Sri Lanka offers great potential—but it starts with registering your company correctly under the country’s legal framework. This guide walks you through the entire process of company registration in Sri Lanka and shows you how to take your new business online with SriLanka Hosting, the leading name in domain registration, web hosting, and business email solutions in Sri Lanka.
Why Choose a Private Limited Company?
Key Benefits:
- Name protection
- Limited liability for owners
- Higher trust and recognition in the market
This legal structure is ideal for entrepreneurs looking for long-term growth and scalability.
Business Structures at a Glance
Important Things to Decide Before You Register
Before starting the process, decide on the following:
✅ Your company name
✅ A registered address
✅ Names of directors
✅ Details of shareholders and their ownership percentages
✅ Your company secretary
Step-by-Step Guide to Company Registration in Sri Lanka
Step 1: Reserve Your Company Name (via eROC)
Use the eROC Portal to check for name availability and reserve your preferred business name. The Registrar of Companies usually processes this within 2–3 working days.Naming Restrictions
You cannot register names that:- Are identical to an existing company name
- Include restricted words (e.g., “President”, “National”, “Municipal”, “Chamber of Commerce”) without proper authorization
- Could mislead the public
The system also ignores:
- "The" at the beginning of a name
- Case, spacing, punctuation, and conjunctions like “&” or “and”
- Common suffixes like "Ltd", "PLC", etc., in determining name similarity
Step 2: Prepare Required Documents
Once your name is approved, you must prepare and submit:- Form 1: Company registration form
- Form 18: Director’s consent
- Form 19: Secretary’s consent
- Articles of Association: Management structure and rules
You can use the standard Articles provided in the Companies Act or draft custom ones.
Step 3: Sign and Scan Documents
All key parties must sign:- Form 1: All directors (1 signature each) and shareholders (2 signatures each)
- Form 18: Each director signs
- Form 19: Secretary signs
- Articles of Association: Signed by all shareholders on the last page
Ensure documents are:
- In A4 PDF format
- Clear and legible
- Properly scanned before uploading
Step 4: Submit to Registrar & Make Payment
After signing, upload the documents on the eROC system and make the registration fee payment using a debit or credit card.
Step 5: Approval & Certificate Download
In 2–3 business days, you’ll receive:- Company registration approval (visible in your eROC dashboard)
- Digital Certificate of Incorporation (no physical copies issued)
- A QR code on the certificate for authenticity verification
📢 As of August 6, 2019:
- No need to publish Gazette notices yourself
- Registrar handles paper publication automatically
What to Do After Registration
Once registered, take the following steps:
✅ Get certified copies of Forms 1, 18, 19, and Articles (optional)
✅ Issue share certificates to shareholders
✅ Make official company stamps (company, director, secretary)
✅ Apply for Tax Identification Number (TIN)
✅ Open corporate bank accounts
✅ Register for EPF and ETF if you have employees
Take Your Business Online with SriLanka Hosting
Once your company is officially registered, it’s time to build your digital identity—crucial for modern business success.Register Your Domain Name
Protect your brand with a custom domain (.lk, .com, .store, etc.). SriLanka Hosting offers fast, affordable domain registration.Launch Your Website
Choose from Shared, VPS, Reseller, or Pay-As-You-Go Hosting. All our servers are optimized for speed, security, and uptime.Set Up Professional Business Email
Impress clients with a custom email like [email protected]. We offer flexible Pay-As-You-Go Business Email solutions.
Final Thoughts
Registering a company in Sri Lanka is now a fully online process and simpler than ever. But your company’s success also depends on how professionally you present your brand online.From domain names to business email, trust SriLanka Hosting—the nation’s #1 web hosting provider—to help you grow from the ground up.
Start smart. Stay compliant. Go digital. Build your business with SriLanka Hosting – trusted since 2015.