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.