⚠️ This guide was researched and updated in May 2026. Laws and regulations change frequently. For specific legal advice regarding your jurisdiction, please consult with local legal counsel.

Sri Lanka Will & Estate Planning Guide

Read about will creation and estate planning in Sri Lanka. This guide covers witness rules, probate processes and jurisdiction-specific considerations that may apply. Rules vary, so consult a qualified professional for advice on your circumstances.

Estate Planning in Sri Lanka at a Glance

Sri Lanka has a plural legal system. The general law - Roman-Dutch law as modified by statute - governs most testators, while three personal-law systems may apply to particular communities: Kandyan law (for Kandyan Sinhalese), Thesawalamai (the customary law of the Tamil inhabitants of the Northern Province) and Muslim law (for Muslims). A valid will is normally made in writing and executed before a notary public with witnesses. Sri Lanka levies no inheritance or estate tax.

General law is Roman-Dutch law as modified by statute, with testamentary formalities under the Prevention of Frauds Ordinance No. 7 of 1840
Testator must be at least 18 and of sound mind
A will must be in writing and attested by two or more witnesses, or executed before a notary public with two witnesses
Notarial wills are the common and recommended form
Kandyan law, Thesawalamai and Muslim personal laws may apply and modify succession
Under Muslim law a testator may generally bequeath only up to one-third of the estate without the heirs' consent
No inheritance, estate or death tax

Will Requirements in Sri Lanka

Creating a will in Sri Lanka typically involves national rules and any local variations. Witness requirements, signing procedures and other formalities can vary by jurisdiction, so consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your circumstances.

Witness Requirements: Two or more witnesses, present at the same time, who attest the testator's signature; alternatively the will is executed before a notary public with two witnesses, which is the common notarial form. Witnesses should be independent of the beneficiaries.

Holographic Wills:Formal witnessing is generally required

Inheritance Tax in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka does not currently impose an inheritance tax

Family Shares and Estate Administration in Sri Lanka

Protected family shares: Testamentary freedom depends on which law applies. General-law (Roman-Dutch) testators have broad freedom to dispose of their property by will. Under Muslim law, a testator may generally bequeath only up to one-third of the estate without the consent of the heirs, the remainder passing by the fixed shares of intestate succession. Thesawalamai restricts a spouse's disposal of certain matrimonial property and gives co-heirs rights of pre-emption, while Kandyan law applies its own rules of inheritance.

Administering the estate: The District Courts exercise testamentary jurisdiction. They grant probate where there is a valid will, or letters of administration on an intestacy, and oversee the administration and distribution of the estate.

Related Resources

What Happens Without a Will?

Read about intestacy rules and how an estate may be distributed if you die without a will.

Global Inheritance Tax Guide

Compare inheritance tax rates, thresholds and exemptions across countries.

Digital & Physical Will Signatures

How signing rules differ across jurisdictions and where digital signatures may be accepted.

Estate Planning Information for Sri Lanka

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