Starting a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) for operations in Galle City (including the historic Fort) and its surrounding commercial coast is a digital process via the eROC portal. Use this comprehensive checklist to secure your business foundation in the Southern Province, emphasizing compliance with both national registration and mandatory local licenses from the Galle Municipal Council (GMC).
Phase 1: Pre-Incorporation (Name & Setup)
| Action | Details & Compliance | Fee (Incl. 18% VAT) |
| 1. Check Name Availability | Verify uniqueness on the DRC website. (Crucial for businesses targeting the high-profile Galle Fort or main Galle Road commercial stretch). | N/A |
| 2. Create eROC Account | Register as a new user. All official company documents are issued digitally. | Free |
| 3. Reserve Company Name | Submit the reservation request via eROC dashboard. The name is reserved for 3 months. | LKR 2,360.00 |
Phase 2: eROC Incorporation (Forms & Fees)
All Pvt Ltd registration documents are filed centrally with the Department of Registrar of Companies (DRC) in Colombo, regardless of the operating location in Galle.
| Action | Mandatory Stakeholder Details | Compliance Requirement |
| 4. Input Company Data | Registered Office Address (Specify precise location: e.g., Pedlar Street, Galle Fort; or Karapitiya Road, Galle Town), Main Business Objective. | The address determines your relevant Local Authority (GMC, UC, or PS). |
| 5. Enter Stakeholder Details | Director(s) (Min. 1), Shareholder(s) (Min. 1), and a Resident Registered Company Secretary. | 360 Accountants provides the mandatory Company Secretary service to ensure accuracy. |
| 6. Disclose Beneficial Ownership | Report any natural person holding $10\%$ or more ownership/control. | Mandatory 2025 Requirement: Maintain an accurate and up-to-date Beneficial Ownership register. |
📝 Statutory Document Filing & Fees
The eROC system generates these forms, which must be manually signed, scanned, and uploaded.
| Document (Form) | Description | Total Fee (Incl. 18% VAT) |
| Articles of Association (AoA) | The company’s internal constitution and rulebook. | LKR 2,360.00 |
| Form 1 | Application for Incorporation | LKR 4,720.00 |
| Form 18 | Consent and Certificate of Director | LKR 2,360.00 (per director) |
| Form 19 | Consent and Certificate of Secretary | LKR 2,360.00 |
Phase 3: Mandatory Local Compliance (Galle Municipal Council)
Unlike national registration, local operating permits must be obtained from the relevant local authority, most commonly the Galle Municipal Council (GMC) for city operations.
| Compliance Task | Authority | Deadline/Requirement |
| 1. Obtain TIN | IRD | Register for a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) at the IRD office in Galle or online. |
| 2. Trade License / Annual Permit | Galle Municipal Council (GMC) | MANDATORY for almost all businesses (retail, restaurants, guesthouses) operating within the GMC limits (Galle Fort, Galle Town). Renewal is typically required before January 1st annually. |
| 3. Health & Environment Permits | GMC / MOH Office | Required for food-related businesses (cafes, restaurants in Galle Fort). Technical Officer/PHI site inspection is mandatory. |
| 4. Tourism Registration | Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) | Essential for boutique hotels, villas, and certified tourist guides operating in coastal areas like Unawatuna, Thalpe, and within the Fort. |
| 5. Financial Records | Companies Act | Maintain accurate bookkeeping records from the start for annual audit and filing. |
🔑 KEY LOCAL INSIGHT: For businesses within the Galle Fort UNESCO World Heritage Site, planning permission and external modifications are subject to extremely strict regulations enforced by the Archaeological Department, which must be considered before property acquisition or renovation.
