Sri Lanka Sanctions Permit Authorization

Summary#

The document is the Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Permit Authorization Order: SOR/2023-3. It gives the federal government power to issue permits that allow activities otherwise restricted by the Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations. The order was registered on January 6, 2023 and published in the Canada Gazette on January 18, 2023 (P.C. dated January 5, 2023).

What it does#

• Authorizes the Minister of Foreign Affairs to issue permits to carry out specified activities or transactions, or classes of them, that are restricted or prohibited under the Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations.
• Applies to permits issued to any person located in Canada or to any Canadian located outside Canada.
• Points readers to the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement that appears alongside the related regulations (see SOR/2023-2) for more context on effects and rationale.

Who's affected#

• Any person in Canada and any Canadian outside Canada who would otherwise be prevented by the Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations from doing certain activities or transactions with respect to Sri Lanka.
• Likely to be most relevant to businesses, banks, legal advisers, non‑profits, or individuals who need an exception to those restrictions — but the order itself does not list specific groups or permit criteria.

Why it matters#

• This order creates a formal way to grant exceptions to the sanctions-style restrictions in the Sri Lanka regulations. That can allow lawful trade, financial transactions, humanitarian aid, or other activities that would otherwise be blocked.
• If you or your organization deals with Sri Lanka and are unsure whether a transaction is allowed, this authorization means there is a process (permits) that might apply. The order does not say what the permit rules or conditions are; for those details you need the Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations and the accompanying Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement.