Dual citizens cannot contest Parliamentary Polls – govt

Dual citizens cannot contest Parliamentary Polls – govt

April 30, 2015   05:49 pm

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ajith P. Perera says that according to provisions included in the 19th amendment to the constitution, Sri Lankan nationals who possess dual citizenships are not permitted to contest in the General Election.

He stated that when a Sri Lankan receives citizenship from another country he automatically loses his Sri Lankan citizenship.

However, they can request for citizenship in their homeland and if that request is approved then that person will be eligible for dual citizenship, the deputy minister told Ada Derana.

President’s Counsel Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne, a member of the Committee on the Draft Amendment to the Constitution, says that being a Sri Lankan citizen is an ‘essential qualification’ for contesting a General Election in the country.

Meanwhile the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, N.M. Ranasinghe, says that UPFA Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa are both in possession of dual citizenship.

Speaking to Ada Derana, he stated that the two Rajapaksa brothers have been dual citizens since a long while back.

 

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Recommendations on admissions to KDU Medical Faculty: Annual admissions to be limited to 150 (English)

Recommendations on admissions to KDU Medical Faculty: Annual admissions to be limited to 150 (English)

'Healthcare is not just a service. It is a social necessity' - PM Harini (English)

'Japanese support for Sri Lanka's debt negotiations is commendable' – Harshana Suriyapperuma (English)

Current Tourism Act hinders inter-ministerial collaboration, Foreign Minister says (English)

LIVE🔴 Ada Derana Lunch Time News Bulletin 12.00 pm

'Will take legal action over the abduction in Weligama' - Minister (English)

Four provinces identified as high-risk zones for spread of dengue (English)

Vocational education will be crucial for Sri Lanka's renaissance – PM Harini (English)