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About DRC

Our Vision

Developing and fostering a reliable business environment through the creation of an active regulatory authority capable of gradually creating an understanding of corporate governance covering business sectors in Sri Lanka.

Our Mission

The mission of the Department of Registrar of Companies is to establish business and other institutions under the relevant Acts in accordance with the economic and trade policy of the Government and to act in vigilance in regard to their effective functioning and to assist in other commercial activities.

Objectives and Main Functions

The main objective of The Department of the Registrar of Companies is the efficient and effective implementation, administration and enforcement of several legislative enactments assigned to it; namely,

  • Companies Act No 7 of 2007,
  • The Societies Ordinance No 16 of 1891,
  • The Cheetus Ordinance No 61 of 1935,
  • Public Contracts Act No 3 of 1987;

Companies Act No 7 of 2007

  • Incorporation of Private Limited Liability Companies
  • Incorporation of Public Limited Liability Companies
  • Registration of Foreign Companies
  • Registration of Off-Shore Companies
  • Incorporation of Unlimited Companies
  • Incorporation of Public Quoted Companies
  • Incorporation of Guarantee Companies
  • Incorporation of Associations
  • Registration of Auditors and Company Secretaries.

Societies Ordinance No 16 of 1891

The Societies Ordinance is the next in terms of the number of societies registered. This ordinance provides for the registration of mutual provident societies, established for the object of promoting thrift, giving relief to members in time of sickness, distress, or aiding them in financial difficulties, and providing for widows and orphans and other societies in respect of which the Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs may extend the powers of the ordinance (a proposal to review this law is under consideration).

The Cheetus Ordinance No 61 of 1935

The Cheetu Ordinance provides for the registration and regulation of cheetus.

Public Contract Act No 3 of 1987

The Public Contract Act provides for the registration of any persons who act as agent or subagent, representatives or nominees for and behalf of any tenders in respect of a public contract which exceeds Rs 5 million and such public contracts.

When implementing these functions, services such as issues of certified copies, searching of company files, checking and registration of documents, instituting prosecutions against defaulting companies, attending the inquiries of the business community and the public, are carried out continuously.

Number of companies registered under the Joint Stock Companies Ordinance ( 1861 – 1938 July)

Incorporated Abroad & Registered in Sri Lanka : 456
Joint Stock Companies : 820
Total : 1,276

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