Amendments to dual citizenship scheme to be discussed

by Manjula Fernando

Legal amendments to implement the new dual citizenship scheme are held up at the Legal Draftsman’s Office for the past three months due to certain legal issues which the State agencies are trying to resolve.

Immigration and Emigration Controller General Chulananda Perera told the Sunday Observer that the issue was over amendments to the two Acts, Immigration and Emigration and Citizenships.

Officials from the Immigration Department and the Legal Draftsman’s office are to meet on January 18 with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to iron out the differences of opinions on the proposed amendments.

The issue of dual citizenships had been suspended since February 2011 in view of the new laws which were expected to come into effect from mid-2012. According to the Immigration Department, a considerable number of applications had been waitlisted until the new laws are in place.

Under the proposed criteria, which is deemed ‘strict’ in the sense that applicants will be thoroughly screened on the basis of background, intentions and current status, applicants will be granted permanent residency for five years before they are granted citizenship.

Applicants of Sri Lankan origin should submit information on how he/she obtained citizenship of the other country and his/her intention to seek dual citizenship in Sri Lanka, to process the application.