Business
Statutes and regulations associated with Regulated Finance Companies
By Shiranthi Gunawardana –
Attorney at Law and Legal Consultant to the Finance
Houses Association
Regulated Finance Companies (RFCs) are major financial intermediaries which are duly regulated and governed by the laws of Sri Lanka. RFCs are strictly governed by virtue of statutes and Acts such as Finance Business Act No. 42 of 2011. The other statutes which are applicable are Finance Leasing Act No. 56 of 2000 as amended, Consumer Credit Act, Mortgage Act, Motor Traffic Act, Inland Trust Receipts Act, Debt Recovery Special Provisions Act, Criminal Procedure Amendment Act, Companies Act and so on.
The Finance Business Act No. 42 of 2011 is an Act to provide control and supervision of finance companies registered in the Central Bank and the act has repealed the Finance Companies Act No. 78 of 1998. The Act outlines the licensing procedures, directions, rules and requirements of finance companies, including core capital reserve funds, admissible business activities by finance companies. Under this act, it is mandatory that a company cannot accept public deposits unless it is registered and licensed as a finance company under the Act and to be registered as a Licensed Finance Company, that company needs to have registered under the Companies Act, No. 7 of 2007. The Act also provides for a separate director in the CBSL to monitor and control NBFIs. According to the sections 13 and 14 of the Act, the director is vested with power to act upon NBFIs if they fail to comply with the directions which are listed in sections 13 and 14 suggested under the Finance Business Act.
All RFCs are legally bound and obliged to comply with all the directions and circulars issued under the Finance Businesses Act No. 42 of 2011.
Importance of the Finance Leasing Act
The Finance Leasing Act No. 56 of 2000 as amended by Act No. 24 of 2005 and Act No. 33 of 2007 makes it that it is mandatory to have a license under the Finance Leasing Act to carry on finance leasing businesses. Section 32 of the Finance Leasing Act clearly sets out the repercussions of carrying on Finance Leasing Businesses without registration. Under this section, the director of the Central Bank has the right under Section 32(2) and Section 32(3) (a) (b) to apply to the High Court and obtain an injunction.
Under the Finance Leasing Act, there are 4 mandatory provisions which have to be strictly followed as provided by Section 31 of the Finance leasing Act No. 56 of 2000.
The mandatory provisions are
• Section 11 – Right to undisturbed possession
• Section 16 – Termination on variations of a supply agreement.
• Section 22 – Computation of damages recoverable from the Lessee.
• Section 24 – Which has been amended by Act No 24 of 2005 – Which provides for transfer or assignment of Lessor’s rights.
For RFCs – To carry out finance business and to accept public deposits, a license has to be obtained from the monetary board which has to be annually renewed and for finance leasing businesses a separate license which is again renewable annually has to be obtained.
Approved credit agency status is granted under the Mortgage Act No. 06 of 1949 as amended. The Trust receipt ordinance No. 12 of 1947 and the Inland trust receipt Act of No. 14 of 1990 also are Acts under which businesses can be carried on.
Under these Acts, with the relevant authority given, a finance company can engage in mortgage of movables and mortgage of shares and allied businesses.
The mortgage of corporeal movables such as gold articles, motor vehicles can be carried on by finance companies who are also approved credit agencies and can enjoy the special benefits granted under these Acts in their recovery process.
It is evident from the above statues and regulations that RFCs are well regulated and governed and are legally bound to abide by the said regulations and directions. RFCs are aware of the consequences of failing to abide by these regulations, accordingly 99% of RFCs do comply with these regulations which is an encouraging sign for customers to embrace the services of RFCs.
The writer is the Legal Consultant of the FHA with 45 years of experience in the finance industry.
Business
SLT-MOBITEL driving Sri Lanka’s economic resilience through digital infrastructure
Corporate accolades underscore the alignment between its operational excellence and national development
In an era where national competitiveness is intrinsically tied to digital connectivity, strengthening the country’s digital backbone has become an urgent priority. Within this context, the evolving role of Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications provider, SLT-MOBITEL, offers valuable insight into how technological infrastructure can underpin broader economic resilience.
Telecommunications and digital networks are foundational to economic transformation. By expanding high-speed broadband access, upgrading enterprise cloud capabilities, and bridging the urban-rural connectivity divide, SLT-MOBITEL helps reduce business transaction costs, streamline supply chains, and enable micro, small, and medium enterprises to reach global markets.
Recent corporate accolades further underscore this alignment between operational excellence and national development. SLT-MOBITEL’s triple triumph at the National Business Excellence Awards 2026 – winning in the Infrastructure and Utilities sector, Performance Management, and ICT Services categories – highlights its growing impact. Notably, the recognition of eChannelling’s contributions to digital healthcare reflects a broader strategic pivot toward integrated technology solutions.
“Institutional efficiency of this nature is critical for attracting foreign direct investment, as global partners increasingly assess a country’s digital maturity and systemic stability before committing capital,” noted industry observers.
Moreover, the company’s transition from a conventional telecom utility to a comprehensive digital solutions provider aligns seamlessly with Sri Lanka’s national digitalisation agenda. As the country pursues public sector modernisation, enhanced e-governance, and a competitive knowledge economy, the private sector must step up to deliver secure, scalable, and future-ready networks. Investments in data centres, cybersecurity frameworks, and advanced ICT infrastructure act as strategic buffers, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s economic apparatus remains agile and resilient amid future global uncertainties.
However, industry experts caution that while these achievements are commendable, SLT-MOBITEL still has a considerable distance to cover in fully enabling a truly digital economy.
Business
Port City Colombo strengthens Gulf investment ties at Dubai diplomatic engagement
Port City Colombo (PCC) took a prominent role as Platinum Sponsor at the second edition of Sri Lanka Beyond Your Dreams, a high-level diplomatic and investment engagement hosted by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The event, held on 2nd September 2026 at the Hilton Dubai Al Habtoor City, brought together over 400 senior UAE-based business leaders, investors, diplomats, and institutional stakeholders, alongside Sri Lanka’s most senior government representatives.
The gathering was graced by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, as Guest of Honour, and Vijitha Herath, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. A high-level Sri Lankan delegation – including the Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Board of Investment, the Chairman of the Export Development Board, and the Director General of Commerce – underscored the government’s strong commitment to deepening economic diplomacy with the UAE.
In his keynote address, Minister Herath reaffirmed the centuries-old ties between Sri Lanka and the Arab region, emphasising the UAE’s vital role as a key economic partner. He stressed the urgency of finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, which would establish a robust framework to elevate trade, investment, and bilateral cooperation. Declaring Sri Lanka “open and ready for business,” he positioned Port City Colombo as the physical embodiment of this economic mission – a modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with a dedicated legal framework and competitive incentives, offering UAE investors a natural gateway to South Asia while maintaining strong Gulf connectivity.
Business
American Premium Water strikes Gold at Dragons of Sri Lanka 2026
American Premium Water has secured four wins at Dragons of Sri Lanka Awards 2026, including three Gold Dragons and one Black Dragon, marking a significant milestone for the brand following its relaunch last year.
Part of the prestigious Dragons of Asia awards, Dragons of Sri Lanka brings the program’s regional platform to the local market, celebrating creative and effective marketing communications, with entries evaluated on strategic thinking, creativity, execution and impact. Established in 2000, Dragons of Asia is one of Asia’s premier results-driven marketing awards programs.
For American Premium Water, the achievements are particularly significant given that the company’s debut at the Dragons awards has resulted in four Dragons across four categories. In the distinction of Gold Dragons, American Premium Water was recognized across three categories including Product Launch or Re Launch, Cause, Environment or Sustainability and Creative Excellence while the Black Dragon was awarded in recognition of Small Budget.
Competing alongside leading brands and agencies in Sri Lanka, American Premium Water’s four wins demonstrate the strength and effectiveness of its recent work. Winning three Gold Dragons across three distinct categories highlights the breadth of the brand’s achievements, while the Black Dragon for Small Budget further emphasizes its ability to create meaningful impact through focused and efficient investment.
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