The Starter Setup
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Registration cost guide · 2026
Company Registration Cost in Sri Lanka (2026)
A line-by-line breakdown of what it really costs to incorporate a company in Sri Lanka - ROC government fees, stamp duty, professional fees, and the ongoing compliance budget you should plan for. No marketing fluff, no hidden charges. For the government fees alone, worked from Gazette 2496/03, see our guide to ROC fees from 6 July 2026.
Line-by-line cost breakdown for incorporating a Sri Lankan company
The ranges below reflect typical ROC and professional fees observed in 2026. Government fees are reviewed periodically - always confirm the current schedule with the ROC or your company secretary before filing.
| Cost line | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation (Form 11/12) | LKR 2,000-2,500 | Paid to the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Valid for 3 months. |
| Incorporation filing (Form 1, 18, 19) | LKR 4,000-6,000 | Government filing fees with the ROC for incorporation documents. |
| Stamp duty on share capital | LKR 25 per LKR 1,000 of stated capital | Calculated on declared issued / paid-up capital at incorporation. |
| Form 40 (post-incorporation declaration) | LKR 1,000-1,500 | Statutory filing within prescribed timelines after incorporation. |
| TIN, VAT, SSCL registration | No government fee | Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issues TIN and registers VAT / SSCL via RAMIS at no cost. Professional fees apply. |
| Articles of Association drafting | LKR 8,000-25,000 | Professional fee. Cost increases if bespoke clauses (vesting, voting, drag-along, foreign-investor provisions) are required. |
| Notarisation / certified true copies | LKR 1,500-5,000 | Notary fees plus copy charges per document. |
| Professional / agency fee | LKR 25,000-75,000+ | Covers name search, document preparation, ROC liaison, post-incorporation registrations, and statutory register setup. Varies by complexity. |
Ranges are indicative for typical private-limited incorporations in 2026. Foreign-shareholder structures, holding-company arrangements, and bespoke Articles attract higher professional fees.
Ongoing compliance costs (year one and beyond)
Incorporation is a one-off. The real cost of running a Sri Lankan company is the recurring compliance work - the line items below should be budgeted from day one.
Annual return (Form 15)
Annual ROC filing.
LKR 4,000-8,000
Company secretary fee
Statutory requirement for limited companies.
LKR 36,000-120,000+ p.a.
Audit fee
For audited entities. Scales with turnover and complexity.
LKR 60,000-350,000+ p.a.
Accounting / bookkeeping
Optional but recommended; reduces year-end cleanup cost.
LKR 15,000-80,000+ p.m.
VAT / SSCL / income tax filings
If registered. Filed via RAMIS.
LKR 8,000-25,000+ p.m.
WinCore registration packages
Every package is delivered by a registered company secretary and includes ROC liaison, statutory registers, and post-incorporation IRD registrations. See the registration services page for the full feature matrix.
The Standard Setup
From LKR 45,000
The traditional corporate package with essential physical assets.
Launch Essentials
From LKR 65,000
The comprehensive suite to register, open a corporate bank account, and start trading immediately.
The Employer Package
From LKR 85,000
Designed for scaling startups that are immediately hiring local staff.
Enterprise & Foreign Founder Pod
From LKR 125,000
VIP compliance and structuring for foreign investors, multi-director boards, or highly funded tech startups.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a private limited company in Sri Lanka in 2026?
Government and statutory fees typically total LKR 8,000-12,000 (excluding stamp duty on share capital). Including Articles of Association drafting, notarisation, and a professional services package, total all-in registration cost ranges from LKR 45,000 to LKR 120,000 depending on complexity and the chosen package. Stamp duty is additional and scales with declared share capital (LKR 25 per LKR 1,000).
What are the official ROC fees in Sri Lanka?
Core ROC fees: name reservation (LKR 2,000-2,500), incorporation filing for Forms 1/18/19 (LKR 4,000-6,000), Form 40 post-incorporation declaration (LKR 1,000-1,500). Stamp duty on share capital is paid separately to the Stamp Office. Fees are revised periodically; always verify with the ROC or a registered company secretary at the time of filing.
Is there a tax registration fee at IRD?
No. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) issues TIN and registers VAT, SSCL, and APIT via RAMIS at no government fee. Professional fees may apply if a secretarial firm prepares and lodges the registrations on your behalf.
What does WinCore charge for company registration?
WinCore publishes registration packages on the /services/registration page with transparent inclusions. Starting prices reflect the standard private limited company package; bespoke clauses, foreign-investor structures, and multi-shareholder arrangements may attract a quotation uplift.
How much is stamp duty on share capital?
Stamp duty is LKR 25 per LKR 1,000 of stated capital. For example, LKR 1,000,000 stated capital attracts LKR 25,000 stamp duty. We typically recommend a sensible declared capital that balances regulator perception with cash discipline.
Are there hidden costs to budget for?
Watch for: notarisation, certified copies, bank account opening fees, initial accounting set-up (chart of accounts, opening journals), VAT / SSCL registration if turnover thresholds are met, and the cost of the company seal. WinCore lists every line on the proposal. No end-of-month surprises.
Do foreign shareholders cost more to register?
Foreign-shareholder structures attract additional documentation (apostilled passports, BOI / exchange-control considerations, and bespoke Articles). Plan for an additional LKR 20,000-50,000 in professional fees and add 1-2 weeks to the timeline.
What ongoing costs do I face after incorporation?
Annual return filing (LKR 4,000-8,000), company secretary retainer (LKR 36,000+ p.a.), audit fees if applicable, monthly accounting, and tax filings if registered. WinCore offers bundled compliance packages so you can budget predictably.