Legal Draftsman dilly dallies over new dual citizenship laws

by Manjula Fernando

Sri Lanka’s much awaited new dual citizenship scheme has been held up at the Legal Draftsman’s office for the past one year adversely affecting the Immigration and Emigration office processing applications from expatriates seeking dual citizenship.

Immigration and Emigration Controller Chulananda Perera said they were awaiting approval from the Legal Draftsman’s office from the middle of last year to go ahead with the dual citizenship scheme.

“We need to amend Section 14 of the Immigration Act to accommodate the changes in the new procedure,” he said adding that the Legal Draftsman is yet to put together the draft Amendment for approval.

Following the dawn of peace in the country, the Sri Lankan expatriate community is eagerly waiting to obtain dual citizenship to become partners in the country’s development and make any contribution within their reach but the delay in implementing the new procedure has dampened their enthusiasm.

The draft law had been referred to the Attorney General for his perusal and fine-tuning and was returned within one month to the Immigration office with adjustments to be sent to the Legal Draftsman.

A Sri Lankan holding citizenship of another country will be granted permanent residency for five years before he becomes eligible for dual citizenship under the new scheme.

Details need to be submitted on how he or she obtained the citizenship of the other country and the intention to seek dual citizenship in Sri Lanka to process his application.

The issue of dual citizenship has been suspended since early 2011, in view of the new measures to be adopted to streamline this facility which is misused by some expatriates.