Technology & Digital Economy
Sri Lanka’s technology sector includes software and IT-services exporters, business-process and knowledge-process outsourcing providers, fintech businesses, digital platforms and a growing start-up community, while organisations across traditional industries are adopting cloud, data and artificial-intelligence tools. These activities raise questions about contracting, ownership of intellectual property, data protection, cybersecurity and accountability.
We act for technology companies, start-ups and their investors, and for organisations procuring or deploying technology.
How we help
We advise clients in the technology and digital economy on matters including:
- Technology investment, venture funding, acquisitions and joint ventures
- Software development, licensing and implementation agreements
- Cloud, hosting, outsourcing and managed-services arrangements
- Data protection, privacy governance and cross-border data use
- Cybersecurity preparedness and incident response
- Digital platforms, e-commerce and electronic contracting
- Intellectual-property ownership, protection and commercialisation
- Artificial-intelligence procurement, deployment and governance
- Fintech, digital payments and technology-enabled financial services
- Technology disputes, service failures and contract enforcement
Industry experience
We advise start-ups, established technology and IT-services businesses, platform operators, fintech businesses, investors and organisations across traditional industries that depend on data and digital services. Our work spans the full lifecycle of technology arrangements, from product development and investment to procurement, commercialisation, compliance, expansion and dispute resolution, and we work closely with our Data Protection & Privacy practice where personal data is involved. Where technology, data or service delivery crosses borders, we coordinate with international counsel and security specialists.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications operators and infrastructure providers in Sri Lanka are licensed and regulated by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, and their businesses depend on spectrum, interconnection, tower and fibre infrastructure and long-term arrangements with equipment vendors and other operators. Consolidation, network sharing, the roll-out of new technologies and international connectivity through submarine cables and satellites all raise regulatory and transactional questions.
We act for mobile, fixed-line and broadband operators, tower and fibre companies, international carriers, equipment and service providers and investors.
How we help
We advise clients in the telecommunications sector on matters including:
- Telecommunications licensing, spectrum and regulatory approvals
- Interconnection, roaming and wholesale access arrangements
- Tower, fibre and other passive-infrastructure transactions
- Network-sharing and managed-services agreements
- Equipment supply, vendor and network roll-out contracts
- Submarine-cable, satellite and international-gateway arrangements
- Mergers, acquisitions and investment in telecommunications businesses
- Competition and consumer-protection questions
- Customer data, lawful-access requests and data-protection obligations
- Regulatory proceedings and telecommunications disputes
Industry experience
We advise telecommunications operators, infrastructure companies, carriers, technology vendors, investors and lenders. Our work ranges from licensing and regulatory questions to network and infrastructure transactions, acquisitions and the resolution of disputes with counterparties and authorities. Where transactions involve international groups or financiers, we coordinate with overseas counsel and technical advisers to provide consistent Sri Lankan legal support.
Media & Entertainment
Broadcasters, publishers, production houses, music and film businesses, advertising agencies and digital-content creators rely on the rights they own or license and on the way they distribute content across television, radio, print, streaming and social platforms. They must also manage broadcasting and content regulation, defamation risk, advertising standards and the protection of personal data.
We act for media and entertainment businesses, content creators, advertisers, rights holders and investors.
How we help
We advise clients in media and entertainment on matters including:
- Production, co-production and commissioning agreements
- Copyright ownership, licensing and rights clearance
- Broadcasting, distribution and streaming arrangements
- Music, publishing and talent agreements
- Advertising, sponsorship and influencer-marketing arrangements
- Broadcasting, content and advertising regulation
- Pre-publication review, defamation and reputation matters
- Events, sports and entertainment contracts
- Investment, acquisitions and joint ventures in media businesses
- Infringement, piracy and content disputes
Industry experience
We advise television and radio broadcasters, newspaper and digital publishers, film, television and music producers, advertising and marketing agencies, sports and events organisers, platforms and investors. Our work ranges from structuring and documenting productions and distribution deals to protecting rights, managing regulatory and reputational risk and resolving disputes, often at short notice where publication or broadcast deadlines are involved. See also our Technology, Media & Digital practice.
