2,224 applications processed during suspension:
Double standards on dual citizenship
by Manjula Fernando
Over 2,000 applications for dual citizenship have been approved by
the Immigration and Emigration Department during the period this service
was suspended by the last Government, the Sunday Observer learns.
Most of the 2,224 applications approved by the Department at the
time, with clearance from the Defence Ministry, were received before the
suspension came into effect in January, 2011, a spokesperson said.
But there had been a few special cases which got clearance for dual
citizenship during the suspension, the spokesperson added declining to
give further details.
The issuance of dual citizenship to Sri Lankan expatriates was
temporarily halted by the then Government from January 2011 to January
2015.
The reason given was to streamline the service to stop misuse by
unscrupulous elements after the end of war.
Following a Cabinet decision in late 2014, the facility was
reinstated with a revised procedure. The process involved an enlarged
fee and a five-year compulsory period of permanent residency before
being eligible to proceed to citizenship. However, the new government
which was appointed after the January Presidential election, revoked the
need to be a permanent resident but the revised fee was retained. As a
result the main applicant for dual citizenship must pay Rs.250,000 plus
Rs.50,000 for the spouse and each dependent child.
The spokesperson said they have received 1,320 applications for Sri
Lankan dual citizenship since the service was re-launched in March this
year out of which nearly 190 applications have been cleared and issued
certificates.
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