People & Practice Leadership | Colombo Associates

Section 8 Verification & Professional Standards: Colombo Associates maintains strict adherence to Sri Lankan statutory standards and legal ethics. The team profiles presented below reflect verified academic pathways, professional admissions to the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka and international bars, and practice areas handled across contentious and corporate disciplines. For direct consultations or counsel briefings, please contact our intake desk.

Ajra Azhar

Founder and Managing Partner

IBA Scholar 2023 Attorney-at-Law MHRD (Colombo) LL.B (Hons) – Batch Top

Ajra is an International Bar Association (IBA) Scholar for 2023, having represented Sri Lanka in Paris, and currently serves as the Asia-Pacific Regional Forum Liaison Officer of the IBA strengthening her global footprint in the legal community. As Founder and Managing Partner at Colombo Associates, she leads high-value transactions, complex litigation, and strategic cross-border business advisory with strategic insight and precision.

Current Role & International Standing Founder and Managing Partner; Asia-Pacific Regional Forum Liaison Officer, IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee; Represented Colombo Associates in Paris, Mexico City and Toronto.

Education & Qualifications Master of Human Rights and Democratization (MHRD), University of Colombo; LL.B (Hons) – Batch Top, University of Jaffna; Attorney-at-Law, Sri Lanka.

Areas of Expertise Commercial Law, Human Rights Law, Complex Litigation, Cross-Border Business Advisory, International Business Structuring, Investment Advisory.

Languages & Office English, Tamil • Colombo Office, Sri Lanka

Consult with Ajra Azhar

Shaheeda Barrie

Senior Independent Legal Counsel & Head of Chambers

Former Deputy Solicitor General BCL (Oxford) LL.B (1st Class, LSE) Barrister (Gray’s Inn) Member CIArb – UK

A legal professional with over 25 years of experience, Shaheeda served the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka for 22 years and rose to the rank of Deputy Solicitor General. Today she is a Senior Independent Legal Counsel in Sri Lanka and Head of her Law Chambers, specialising in litigation, investment law, securities regulation, PPPs, trade, tax, and company law.

Current Appointments & Public Service Head of Law Chambers; Director, Data Protection Authority of Sri Lanka; Independent Non-Executive Director, Union Bank of Colombo PLC; Legal Consultant to World Bank, ADB & USAID; Former Deputy Solicitor General (22 yrs AG's Dept).

Qualifications & Admissions Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL), Oxford; LL.B (1st Class Honours), LSE; LL.M (summa cum laude), Washington College of Law; Attorney-at-Law, Sri Lanka; Barrister-at-Law, Gray’s Inn (UK); Member, CIArb UK; Commonwealth Scholar; Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow.

Areas of Expertise Financial & Investment Law, Securities & Exchange Law, Public Private Partnerships, Commercial & Trade Law, Private International Law, Tax & Company Law, Public Law.

Languages & Office English, Sinhala • Colombo Office, Sri Lanka

Consult with Shaheeda Barrie

Mayuran Mahalingam

Attorney-at-Law

Attorney-at-Law, Sri Lanka LL.M (Commercial Law, Colombo) LL.B (OUSL) B.A. (Hons, Peradeniya)

Mayuran Mahalingam is an Attorney-at-Law whose academic path brings together political science, general law, and a postgraduate specialisation in Commercial Law. Trained across three leading institutions, he combines strategic insight with technical precision to advise clients with a clear grasp of Sri Lanka's regulatory and commercial environment.

Professional Standing Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka; LL.M in Commercial Law (University of Colombo).

Academic Pathway LL.M. in Commercial Law, University of Colombo; LL.B., The Open University of Sri Lanka; B.A. (Hons) in Political Science, University of Peradeniya.

Areas of Focus & Practice Commercial Law, Political Science, Criminal Law, Public Law, Land Law.

Languages & Office English, Tamil • Colombo Office, Sri Lanka

Consult with Mayuran Mahalingam

Muttalif Mohamed Sifan

Attorney-at-Law

Attorney-at-Law, Sri Lanka LL.B (University of Jaffna) Quazi Court Counsel

Muttalif Mohamed Sifan is an Attorney-at-Law holding a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and is a valued member of the Colombo Associates team. Practising across criminal proceedings, Quazi court matters, and civil litigation, he is known for a disciplined, client-focused approach, clear plain-language counsel, and a firm commitment to client interests.

Professional Standing Attorney-at-Law, admitted to practise in Sri Lanka; Bachelor of Laws (LL.B).

Qualifications LL.B (Bachelor of Laws), University of Jaffna; Attorney-at-Law Final Examination.

Areas of Focus & Practice Criminal Law, Access to Justice, Quazi Matters, General Litigation, Land Law, Muslim Law, Human Rights Law.

Languages & Office English, Tamil • Colombo Office, Sri Lanka

Consult with Muttalif Sifan

Sanduni Dilshika

Senior Legal Associate

Attorney-at-Law LL.B. (Hons, Colombo) Sri Lanka Law College Dip. Psychology (SITC)

A dedicated and analytical Attorney-at-Law holding an LL.B. (Hons) from the University of Colombo and completed Attorney-at-Law finals at Sri Lanka Law College. Having completed apprenticeships across regional and apex jurisdictions (Kandy and Colombo), she is committed to robust legal research, precise drafting, and client-centric advocacy.

Current Role & Apprenticeships Senior Legal Associate, Colombo Associates; Former Apprentice at C. Weerasooriya Chamber (Kandy) and W.D. Navoda AAL (Colombo).

Education & Qualifications Bachelor of Laws (Hons), University of Colombo (2020 – 2024); Attorney-at-Law Final Examination, Sri Lanka Law College (2025); Diploma in Psychology and Counseling (SITC Campus); Diploma in Cambridge English (ACBT).

Core Strengths Courtroom procedure, legal drafting, case analysis, legal research, client-centric advocacy.

Languages & Office English, Tamil, Sinhala • Colombo Office, Sri Lanka

Consult with Sanduni Dilshika

Rahna Rifky

Head of Corporate

Head of Corporate LL.B (Staffordshire, UK) Diplomacy & World Affairs

Rahna Rifky is Head of Corporate at Colombo Associates, holding a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Staffordshire and currently pursuing a Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs. With a keen interest in international legal practice and corporate governance, she leads corporate compliance and commercial client management.

Current Role & Focus Head of Corporate, Colombo Associates; Oversees corporate governance, client administration, and statutory affairs.

Education & Qualifications Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Staffordshire; Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs (in progress).

Areas of Interest & Commitment Corporate Legal Practice, International Relations, Diplomacy, Continuous Professional Development.

Languages & Office English, Tamil • Colombo Office, Sri Lanka

Contact Corporate Division

Vazeer Afnaas

Legal Associate

LL.B (Hons) UAE BA Special (Tamil) Author & Publisher British Council Certified

A highly motivated and versatile legal graduate combining academic excellence with leadership experience in law, media, management and publishing. Recognised for strong legal research, analytical thinking, and communication skills, and passionate about legal advocacy, community development, and statutory research.

Current Role & Achievements Legal Associate, Colombo Associates; Director of Eluchi Magazine (4th ed.); Author of 'Theevil Viluntha Oattai' (Economic Research, 2022); Former News Presenter & Corporate Manager.

Education & Qualifications Bachelor of Law (Hons) UAE (2023 – 2026); BA (Special) in Tamil (reading, 2026); Certificate in General English, British Council; GCE A/L (A, 2B).

Core Skills Leadership, Legal Drafting, Legal Research, Public Relations, Strategic Planning, Analytical Reasoning, Professional Ethics.

Languages & Office Tamil (Native), English (Fluent), Sinhala (Basic) • Colombo Office, Sri Lanka

Consult with Vazeer Afnaas

Direct Partner Liaison

Consult With Our Practice Leaders & Senior Counsel

Whether you are structuring a commercial transaction, addressing a dispute or managing corporate governance requirements, our professional team can help identify the appropriate next step within its authorised scope.

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