Power of Attorney – Execution / Attestation

How to Execute a Power of Attorney (POA) Outside Sri Lanka

A Power of Attorney executed outside Sri Lanka must be properly executed and submitted for registration in Sri Lanka within three months from the date of execution. It may be executed before a Sri Lankan Consular Officer or a person authorised under the law of the country where it is executed to attest a Power of Attorney. The 2024 amendment removed the previous requirement for two additional witnesses for overseas POAs.

Option 1 - Sri Lankan Consular Pathway

• The POA should be prepared by a Sri Lankan lawyer.
• Do not sign the POA before your appointment.
• Applicants may attend the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra. Sri Lankan citizens and dual citizens residing in Queensland may instead execute the POA at the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Queensland by appointment.

What to Bring

• Original unsigned Power of Attorney
• Original Sri Lankan passport + photocopy of the bio-data page
• Current VEVO, where applicable
• Original Dual Citizenship Certificate + photocopy, if applicable
• Request letter with email, telephone number and postal address
• AUD 100.00 money order payable to "High Commission of Sri Lanka"
• Prepaid self-addressed return envelope

At the appointment, the POA must be signed in the presence of the Honorary Consul, and the relevant photocopies will be certified.

After Your Appointment

Send the executed POA, certified supporting documents, request letter, money order and prepaid return envelope to the Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra.

Do not send the POA directly to Sri Lanka after signing at the Honorary Consulate. It must first be attested by the High Commission. Once returned, send the attested POA promptly to your Sri Lankan lawyer for registration.

Option 2 - Authorised Person in Australia

Sri Lankan law also permits a POA to be executed before a person authorised under Australian law to attest a Power of Attorney.

Australian Notary Public

An Australian Notary Public is generally the safest option for documents intended for use overseas.

Have the POA prepared by a Sri Lankan lawyer, do not sign it beforehand, sign it in the presence of the authorised person, and then send the completed POA and required supporting documents to your Sri Lankan lawyer for registration.

If attestation by the Sri Lanka High Commission is specifically required, the document must first obtain the appropriate DFAT authentication before being submitted to the High Commission.

Australian Solicitors

If you wish to execute the POA before an Australian solicitor, first confirm with your Sri Lankan lawyer that this will be accepted for the intended transaction.

Queensland Justice of the Peace (JP)

A Queensland JP should generally not be used for a POA intended for use in Sri Lanka, as Queensland JPs generally do not have authority to witness documents for overseas use unless specifically accepted by the receiving authority. A Notary Public or another appropriately authorised person should be used.

Non-Sri Lankan Applicants

Applicants who are not Sri Lankan citizens or dual citizens should generally use the Australian authorised-person pathway.

If Sri Lanka High Commission attestation is specifically required, the document must first obtain the appropriate DFAT authentication before being submitted to the High Commission.

Registration in Sri Lanka - Mandatory

The POA must be submitted for registration with the Registrar General's Department of Sri Lanka within three months from the date of execution.

Registration is normally arranged by the Sri Lankan lawyer handling the matter.

Important Notes

• The Honorary Consulate does not prepare or draft Power of Attorney documents.
• Requirements may vary for property, banking, inheritance and legal matters.
• Fees and procedures may change. Applicants should confirm current details prior to submission.