A contract with an Indian party is governed by the Indian Contract Act 1872 unless it chooses another law. Because Sri Lankan judgments cannot be executed directly in India, a well-drafted arbitration clause with a neutral seat, or an Indian seat, is usually the best protection. Both countries are parties to the New York Convention, so a foreign award can be enforced in India under Part II of the Arbitration Act.
- Document route
- Sri Lankan notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST and Sri Lanka time are the same all year
- Core law
- Indian Contract Act 1872
- Foreign awards
- Part II, Arbitration Act 1996
Commercial Contracts from Sri Lanka: how it works
We draft and review supply, distribution, agency, manufacturing, software services and joint venture agreements with Indian parties. We focus on the points that cause disputes: payment security, quality and inspection, rules of origin and certificates under the free trade agreement, limits on liability, termination, and how a dispute will actually be resolved and enforced.
Where a deal involves Indian regulatory steps, such as foreign investment reporting, GST or import licensing, we flag them and coordinate with your Indian partner. For existing contracts, we review your position when a dispute starts and advise on notice, mediation, arbitration or a commercial suit.
What clients in Sri Lanka should know
- Name a seat of arbitration and an institution; vague clauses lead to years of argument.
- Ask for security such as a standby letter of credit or post-dated cheques where the buyer is new.
- Stamp the contract correctly in India; unstamped agreements can be impounded when relied on.
Step by step from Sri Lanka
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Sri Lanka, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian mission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Sri Lanka where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Sri Lanka. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Commercial Contracts, or see all services for clients in Sri Lanka and the Doing Business in India practice area.
Questions from clients in Sri Lanka
Should our contract be under Sri Lankan or Indian law?
Either can work. What matters most is an enforceable dispute clause; we advise on both together.
Can an arbitration award from Colombo be enforced in India?
Yes, generally, as a New York Convention award, subject to the limited grounds for refusal.
Do you draft in English only?
Yes, contracts are drafted in English, which Indian courts and arbitrators use.