MR. HIRAN DE ALWIS, ATTORNEY- AT-LAW,
HONY CHIEF EXECUTIVE/CHIEF LEGAL ADVISOR AND MEMBER OF THE
BOARD OF GOVERNORS, SRI LANKA NATIONAL ARBITRATION CENTRE

Welcome to Colombo, Sri Lanka   

The Sri Lanka National Arbitration Centre (SLNAC) is the oldest institution in the country for the administration of arbitrations for the resolution of commercial disputes having been established and incorporated in the year 1985.

The Arbitration Centre’s future role includes efforts to attract international arbitrations to Sri Lanka as a service provider and to make commercial dispute resolution by arbitration speedier and cost-effective under due process of law.

Our mission is the expeditious disposal of commercial disputes under due process of Law.

Several new initiatives to make the arbitral process more efficient and hereby assist the business community, the public and the country to resolve commercial disputes and benefit by its dispute resolution mechanism. Thus, our strategic plan for the future has been reformulated.

Due to the major obstacle for economic growth in Sri Lanka being removed and the projected growth of the Capital markets and the dramatic increase in infrastructure development and import and export trade and foreign direct investments, the Arbitration Centre is singularly placed to offer its best services to the local and international business sectors and the legal professionals.

We wish to project the advantages of Sri Lanka as an Arbitration Venue, namely :

a)     Geographical advantage of being in the hub of the Indian Ocean and its
close proximity to the southern tip of India and the accessibility by air
routes and sea routes.

b)     Peaceful environment.

c)     The long-standing legal infrastructure, competent legal professionals,
modern Arbitration laws, a Common Law based on the Roman Dutch
Law and Commercial Laws based on English Laws.

d)     The widespread use of languages and more particularly excellent
English Language skills, Telecommunication and IT infrastructure.

e)     Availability of tourism-based leisure activities, entertainment, Sports
and Star-class hotel facilities at short distances.

f)      Acceptability of Sri Lanka as a neutral venue

A concerted effort has now been made to look at innovative methods of more
expeditious disposal of commercial disputes. We are pleased to note that during the last year 134 arbitrations  have been filed and the percentage of cases filed and disposed of was 110. This is an 82% disposal rate within one year.

Please do contact the Centre for more information.