Welcoming Our Exclusive Member For Trademark Law & Sri Lanka

Global Law Experts is pleased to welcome Mahinda Haradasa as our Exclusive Member for Trademark Law in Sri Lanka. As a senior practitioner and Precedent Partner at Varners, Mahinda brings decades of experience advising domestic and international clients on trademark registration, brand protection, trademark enforcement and commercial strategy. His appointment strengthens our global network by providing businesses and individuals with access to one of Sri Lanka’s leading trademark practitioners, combining technical legal expertise with practical commercial insight.

Professional Background & Qualifications

Mahinda Haradasa has practised as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka for more than four decades, building an outstanding reputation across corporate, commercial and intellectual property law, with trademark law forming a significant area of practice. His professional qualifications also include admission as a solicitor in England & Wales together with Australian legal qualifications, enabling him to advise on cross-border trademark protection and international brand strategies. This combination of local experience and international perspective allows clients to navigate trademark matters across multiple jurisdictions with confidence.

Leadership & Trademark Practice

At Varners, Mahinda leads a well-established trademark practice covering every stage of brand protection. His work includes trademark clearance searches, registration, opposition proceedings before the National Intellectual Property Office of Sri Lanka (NIPO), portfolio management, renewals, licensing, assignments and infringement disputes.

The firm regularly advises multinational corporations, Sri Lankan businesses and foreign investors across industries including consumer products, pharmaceuticals, apparel, telecommunications and manufacturing. By combining registration strategies with commercial advice and effective enforcement, Mahinda helps clients build, protect and maximise the value of their brands.

Trademark Enforcement & Practical Experience

Mahinda’s practice extends well beyond trademark registration. He has significant experience representing clients in trademark opposition proceedings, infringement litigation, passing off claims and anti-counterfeiting matters before Sri Lanka’s commercial courts and relevant administrative authorities.

Under his leadership, Varners has advised on complex trademark disputes involving both domestic and international brands, demonstrating the firm’s ability to manage sophisticated enforcement strategies that combine administrative proceedings with court action when required. His practical approach focuses on achieving commercially effective outcomes while preserving long-term brand value.

Why Global Law Experts Is Proud To Feature Mahinda Haradasa

Global Law Experts is proud to feature Mahinda because of his exceptional experience, respected standing within the Sri Lankan legal profession and proven leadership in trademark law. His ability to advise both multinational corporations and local businesses on protecting valuable brands has earned recognition from clients and independent legal directories alike.

Equally important is his broader commercial background, which enables him to advise on trademark issues arising during mergers and acquisitions, licensing arrangements, franchising, corporate restructurings and public-private partnership projects. This commercial perspective allows clients to integrate trademark protection into wider business strategies rather than treating intellectual property as an isolated legal issue.

Trademark Law In Sri Lanka: Registration & Protection

Trademark protection in Sri Lanka is governed by the Intellectual Property Act, No. 36 of 2003. The National Intellectual Property Office (NIPO) administers trademark registrations, examinations, oppositions and related proceedings, while enforcement may involve the commercial courts, customs authorities and law enforcement agencies.

Obtaining trademark registration provides businesses with valuable legal rights that help distinguish their products and services, prevent unauthorised use and strengthen brand recognition within the Sri Lankan market.

Key Challenges Facing Brand Owners

Businesses operating in Sri Lanka frequently encounter challenges including conflicting trademark applications, counterfeit goods, unauthorised use of well-known brands, passing off, parallel imports and online infringement. Delays in examination or opposition proceedings may also require strategic planning and experienced legal guidance.

Successful trademark protection often requires more than registration alone. Businesses benefit from ongoing portfolio management, marketplace monitoring and timely enforcement against infringers to preserve both commercial value and consumer confidence.

Where Specialist Trademark Counsel Adds Value

Engaging experienced trademark counsel provides value throughout the lifecycle of a brand. Specialist lawyers assist with selecting registrable trademarks, conducting clearance searches, preparing filing strategies, responding to examination objections, managing opposition proceedings and enforcing registered rights.

Beyond protection, trademark lawyers also advise on licensing agreements, franchise arrangements, coexistence agreements, assignments, due diligence exercises and the trademark aspects of commercial transactions. Mahinda’s practice reflects this comprehensive approach, supporting clients from initial brand creation through long-term portfolio management and enforcement.

Practical Advice For Businesses

Businesses entering or expanding within the Sri Lankan market should prioritise trademark protection early in the development process. Registering trademarks before market entry, conducting comprehensive clearance searches, monitoring for conflicting applications and implementing effective enforcement strategies can significantly reduce legal and commercial risks.

Companies should also consider trademark issues during mergers, acquisitions, licensing transactions and international expansion to ensure valuable brand assets remain properly protected across jurisdictions.

How Mahinda’s Commercial Experience Benefits Clients

Mahinda’s extensive experience in corporate and commercial law enables him to advise on trademark issues within the wider context of business operations and strategic growth. Whether assisting multinational corporations entering Sri Lanka or local businesses expanding internationally, he understands how trademark protection interacts with commercial agreements, regulatory compliance and investment decisions.

This cross-disciplinary approach enables clients to make informed decisions that protect their brands while supporting long-term commercial objectives.

A Partnership Built On Trusted Expertise

Global Law Experts believes clients achieve the best outcomes by working with advisers who combine technical legal knowledge, commercial awareness and practical experience. Mahinda Haradasa embodies these qualities through decades of leadership at Varners and his commitment to delivering strategic trademark advice tailored to each client’s objectives.

His appointment as our Exclusive Member for Trademark Law in Sri Lanka reflects our confidence in his ability to provide businesses with exceptional legal support in one of their most valuable assets—their brands.

Final Remarks

Whether registering a new trademark, protecting an established brand or enforcing trademark rights against infringement, businesses benefit from specialist legal advice that reflects both local procedures and international best practices. As Global Law Experts’ Exclusive Member for Trademark Law in Sri Lanka, Mahinda Haradasa offers the experience, commercial insight and practical judgment required to help clients protect and strengthen their brands in an increasingly competitive marketplace.