General information, not legal advice. Registers and procedures change, so check with the official body listed before you rely on anyone.
Whether it's a lawyer for a land purchase, a caretaker for an empty house or someone to keep an eye on an elderly parent, sooner or later most of us need someone we can trust in Sri Lanka. This page shows you how to check people against official registers where they exist, what to put in writing, and the warning signs that something isn't right.
Quick answers
- Notaries: check them on the Registrar General's Department's 'Find Notary Information' search.
- Doctors: check them on the Sri Lanka Medical Council's public registers.
- Lawyers: there's no simple public lookup, so ask the lawyer for a Supreme Court certificate of good standing and take personal recommendations.
- Caretakers and helpers: there's no official register. Rely on references you can check, a written agreement and regular contact.
- Golden rule: never pay large sums in cash or into a personal account before you've checked who you're dealing with.
Checking professionals against official registers
| Who | Where to check | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| Notary public (needed for property deeds) | Registrar General's Department: Find Notary Information | Search by name, judicial zone or language; results show the notary's land registry and contact details |
| Doctor or dentist | Sri Lanka Medical Council: public registers | Whether a practitioner is registered and their qualifications |
| Private hospital, nursing home or nurse | Private Health Services Regulatory Council: registered institutions and listed nurses | Whether the institution or nurse is on the council's lists |
| Lawyer (Attorney-at-Law) | No public search found. Ask the lawyer for a certificate of good standing from the Supreme Court | Confirms enrolment and that there's been no suspension or disciplinary action |
Good to know
- In Sri Lanka, property deeds are prepared and attested by a notary, who is often also an Attorney-at-Law. It's worth checking both the person's notary listing and their standing as a lawyer.
- A certificate of good standing is requested by the lawyer themselves. A genuine lawyer shouldn't mind you asking for one.
Choosing a lawyer
- Get two or three personal recommendations from people who've used the lawyer for the same kind of work.
- Ask for a written quote and a list of what's included (searches, deed preparation, registration, stamp duty).
- Ask for copies of every document they file or register in your name, and check them at the land registry yourself or through someone independent.
- Be wary if the same lawyer acts for both buyer and seller in a property deal. Ask them to explain how they'll protect your interests.
For property purchases, see our Buying property guide; for power of attorney and certifying documents from abroad, see our Documents guide.
Caretakers, drivers and home helpers
There's no official register for caretakers, drivers or domestic helpers, so the checks are up to you:
- References: speak to at least two previous employers yourself, by phone or video call.
- Identity: see their National Identity Card and keep a copy.
- Written agreement: set out duties, hours, pay, days off, notice and how expenses are approved and recorded.
- Pay traceably: pay wages by bank transfer and ask for receipts for expenses.
- Stay in touch: agree regular photo or video updates, and ask a relative or neighbour to drop in now and then.
From experience
- Recommendations and online searches can both help you find people, but there's no substitute for keeping a close eye on things and staying alert.
- Don't lend large sums or give big salary advances unless the person has worked for you for a long time and earned your trust.
- Discourage helpers and caretakers from having visitors at the property. It isn't usually expected, and unexplained visitors can be a warning sign: burglaries carried out with help from inside a household are sometimes reported.
Tradespeople and keeping your details private
- Find electricians, plumbers and other repairers through personal recommendations wherever you can.
- If you do find someone online, don't tell them when the house is empty, the household's daily routine, or that the owner lives abroad.
- Ask a trusted relative to act as the contact person for the property, so outsiders deal with someone local.
- A foreign phone number can mean a higher price. Ask a local relative or friend to make the first call and ask for a quote.
Warning signs
Avoid these red flags
- Pressure to pay in cash, or into a personal account, 'today' to secure a deal.
- Requests for loans or large salary advances from someone who hasn't worked for you for long.
- Reluctance to put anything in writing or to give you copies of documents.
- Asking for a broad power of attorney when a limited one would do.
- Excuses for not letting you or a relative visit or video-call the property.
- Someone claiming to be from a government office asking for money by phone, text or email.
If something goes wrong
- Keep copies of all messages, receipts and agreements.
- For concerns about a doctor, contact the Sri Lanka Medical Council; for a private hospital or nursing home, the Private Health Services Regulatory Council.
- For fraud, report it to the police in the area where it happened. A relative in Sri Lanka can help you do this.
- For problems with a lawyer or notary, get advice from another lawyer about your options.
From experience
- Set up online accounts for electricity, water and other utility bills while you're visiting Sri Lanka, so bills come to you by email and you can see what's being used and paid, even from abroad.