Who We Are

Atapattu Rajapaksa Associates (ARA) is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost and most prestigious law firms, with a rich history spanning over 30 years. Founded by Shanika Atapattu Rajapaksa, an eminent lawyer known for her expertise and leadership in the legal field, ARA has steadily grown into a prominent player catering to both local and international clientele. ARA’s long-standing reputation is built on our ability to deliver exceptional legal services, a comprehensive understanding of our clients’ industries, and a commitment to excellence in both domestic and international legal matters. With an extensive array of services along with our specializations we have served several reputed corporates from all around the world over the years.

Our Vision

To provide services in a timely manner with common sense and due diligence playing a key role, with an unparalleled foundation of trust and respect for the customers and to retain an everlasting professional relationship along with providing enduring professional services locally as well as globally.

Our Mission

To enhance client experience through synergizing novel, effective and innovative insights and solutions in resolving customer needs parallelly adapting to internationally acceptable standards of quality.

Our Core Strengths

  • Reputation and Experience:
    ARA has established itself as a market leader, not only in Sri Lanka but also in key international markets, offering an impressive array of legal services across multiple sectors. With over three decades of legal experience, the firm has a proven track record of success in handling complex legal matters, making it one of the most trusted legal advisors to both domestic and international clients.
  • Global and Local Expertise:
    ARA operates a vast and diverse network of lawyers, both in Sri Lanka and globally. ARA’s lawyers are well-versed in handling intricate legal issues and navigating the regulatory frameworks in multiple jurisdictions, allowing them to offer global perspectives on local legal matters and vice versa. This combination of local expertise with international reach positions ARA as a go-to firm for clients with cross-border legal needs. ARA’s core  Practice Group is assisted by experts from other related key areas such as employment laws, environment regulations, intellectual property, real estate and taxation and more.
  • Multidisciplinary Legal Team:
    ARA’s team comprises senior legal professionals with a wealth of experience and specialized qualifications in law as well as related fields, enabling the firm to provide nuanced and comprehensive legal services across a broad spectrum of practice areas. ARA integrates expert top-tier lawyers, chartered accountants, company secretaries, and other professionals, providing clients with a well-rounded and strategic approach to legal challenges. This holistic approach ensures that ARA can offer proactive, business-oriented, and pragmatic legal solutions which are workable in the real business environment and would also align with clients’ commercial goals.

Our Approach and Philosophy

  • Business-Oriented Solutions:
    ARA focuses on providing legal solutions that are practical, adaptable, and aligned with the business objectives of our clients. This approach enables us to offer proactive, forward-thinking legal advice that supports clients’ long-term goals.
  • Trust and Confidentiality:
    We operate under a strict internal code of conduct, emphasizing the importance of maintaining confidentiality, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring the highest ethical standards. These values have fostered a deep sense of trust among ARA’s clients.
  • Expertise and Innovation:

    ARA’s team of lawyers is highly qualified and brings a range of specialized skills to the table. The firm’s ability to navigate complex legal issues and offer innovative solutions has made it a preferred choice for clients seeking strategic legal counsel.