A Sri Lankan creditor can recover money from an Indian party by legal notice, a commercial summary suit under Order XXXVII CPC, a cheque case under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, insolvency proceedings against a company with an undisputed debt above the threshold, or arbitration if the contract provides for it. A Sri Lankan judgment is not directly enforceable, so it is usually faster to sue in India.
- Document route
- Sri Lankan notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian mission attestation
- Time difference
- IST and Sri Lanka time are the same all year
- Cheque cases
- Section 138, NI Act 1881
- Civil suit
- Order XXXVII CPC
Money Recovery from India from Sri Lanka: how it works
We review the purchase orders, invoices, shipping records, emails and payment history, then send a firm legal notice. Many buyers pay at this stage. If they do not, we choose the remedy: a commercial summary suit for documented debts, with pre-institution mediation where required, or insolvency proceedings where a company owes an admitted debt.
If the buyer disputes quality, we collect inspection reports and correspondence early to answer the dispute. Recovered amounts are remitted to Sri Lanka through banking channels. Throughout, you give instructions by video call and sign documents in Sri Lanka, without travelling.
What clients in Sri Lanka should know
- Recovery claims have a three-year limitation period in most cases, so do not wait.
- A dishonoured Indian cheque needs a notice within 30 days of the bank memo.
- Keep the original documents safe; courts may ask for them.
Step by step from Sri Lanka
Video consultation
A call at a time that suits Sri Lanka, after we have read your documents.
Documents signed in Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan notary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation, then Indian mission attestation
Work in India
Our team files, appears and follows up in India, and shares scans of everything filed.
Result and handover
Certified copies and originals are couriered to you in Sri Lanka where needed.
The full guide
This page covers what changes when you are in Sri Lanka. For the law, the documents and the step-by-step procedure, read our main page on Money Recovery from India, or see all services for clients in Sri Lanka and the Disputes & Enforcement practice area.
Questions from clients in Sri Lanka
Can I sue an Indian buyer without travelling from Colombo?
Yes. You sign an authenticated power of attorney and we handle the case in India.
Is insolvency a good way to recover a trade debt?
It can be powerful where the debt is undisputed and above the threshold, but it is not a substitute for a suit when the buyer disputes the claim.
Can our Sri Lankan court judgment be used in India?
Only as the basis for a new suit, because Sri Lanka is not a reciprocating territory.