The labour and employment at D. L. & F. De Saram is retained by high-value multinational companies, including Allianz Group and Tesco Sourcing, in mandates requiring expertise in multijurisdictional employment law, strategic advice in employment law compliance, dual employment both domestically and abroad, as well as termination of operations during restructurings. The team is also experienced in representing non-plaintiffs in unjust termination claims before the labour tribunal, including those challenged by trade unions. The team is co-headed by its senior partners Jivan GoonetilekeManjula Sirimane and Hasanthie Manukulasooriya. Associate Nadine Puvimanasinghe is a highly active member of the team, representing clients at the appellate level in labour policy compliance, as well as advising restructured clients in employment-related matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘De Saram colleagues were very approachable and adept at understanding business need. Good at translating complex legal arguments into simple language that a lay person can understand. When it came to appearing in person, they helped put me at ease.’

  • ‘I felt that Jivan Goonetileke really owned the case because he would answer emails quickly and efficiently.’

Key clients

  • Oman Air
  • Wyche
  • Pernod Ricard
  • Schneider Electric
  • Ericsson
  • Associated British Food Group (A B Mauri Lanka (Private) Limited)
  • Allianz Group
  • ICICI Bank
  • HCL Technologies Limited
  • Siam City Cement (Lanka) Limited [ Sri Lankan |entity of the Siam City / “Insee Group”] [formerly Holcim Lanka Limited part of the LafargHolcim Group]
  • Nestle Lanka PLC
  • ZTE Corporation
  • HSBC HDPL
  • Tesco Sourcing
  • London Stock Exchange Group
  • Ineight
  • Wiley Global Technology (Private) Limited
  • Fresenius Medical Care Asia-Pacific Limited
  • Virtusa (Private) Limited
  • Mines Advisory Group
  • International Research & Exchange Board (IREX)
  • Nokia Solutions and Networks Ltd
  • Dewhirst Group
  • Dell
  • CavinKare
  • Accenture
  • Toll Global
  • Plan International
  • Pernod Ricard Lanka (Private) Limited
  • The Coca-Cola Company
  • Zebra Technologies Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
  • Ceylon Oxygen Ltd (part of the Linde Group of Companies)
  • Servier International Group
  • Prima Group of Companies
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • Royal Norwegian Embassy
  • Acumatica
  • Emapta
  • Velocity Global LLC
  • Sun Finance
  • Nike
  • Chakray
  • Peace Corps

Work highlights

  • Acted for Prima Ceylon in claims brought by a trade union.
  • Advised Tesco Sourcing on development of a dual engagement structure of existing Tesco staff resources in Sri Lanka.
  • Advised Mitsubishi Corporation on the employment law aspects relating to the closure of its branch office in Sri Lanka.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jivan Peiris Goonetilleke, Manjula Sirimane, Hasanthie Manukulasooriya

Other key lawyers

Nadine Puvimanasinghe