Can foreigners buy houses in Sri Lanka?

Under Sri Lankan law, foreign nationals cannot purchase freehold land or standalone ground-level houses directly in their individual name. However, foreigners can acquire residential property via 99-year leases or through a Board of Investment (BOI) registered company with qualifying investment thresholds.

What legal documents should I check when buying a house in Sri Lanka?

Essential documents include the original Deed of Transfer, extract of encumbrances from the Land Registry for the past 30 years, approved survey plan, street line certificate, building certificate of conformity (CoC), and municipal tax clearance receipts.