EC to check whether foreigners can hold party office

14 October 2017 02:10 pm - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Elections Commission said yesterday it would take up for consideration the argument that foreign passport holders should not become office bearers of any political party in Sri Lanka.

The dispute arose after National Democratic Party (NDF) secretary Shalila Moonesinghe, a foreign citizenship holder and the chairman of Litro Gas Ltd. was arrested and remanded in connection with a financial crime.

EC member Prof. Ratnajeewan Hoole told Daily Mirror but there was little or nothing the Commission could do because the NDF was registered as a political party under the relevant Act.

“Parliament makes the laws. We have no way to alter them,” he said and added that the law did not bar a foreign national from becoming an office bearer.

“A foreigner cannot contest a parliamentary election as set out in the law. However, there is no way to bar a foreigner with a resident visa from contesting the provincial council elections. I think, such an eventuality was not foreseen at the time the law was formulated,” Prof. Hoole said.

The then common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena contested the 2015 presidential election under the swan symbol of the NDF and elected President. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 7

Jonson Saturday, 14 October 2017 03:41 PM

On the inauguration day of the opening ceremony some one should be sent in its better to wait for some days for a top vip who is in the list to come. via DM Android App

Arnold Saturday, 14 October 2017 04:07 PM

Foreign passport holders are considered traitors in most countries. They come back here because they think they could make more money than their adopted countries.

ralahamy Saturday, 14 October 2017 04:14 PM

Can we say Good Bye to foreign passport holders and those holding dual citizen? We saw how the dual citizen bolting to their hiding places via Dubai Aiarport after the last Presidential Election.

Senewi Saturday, 14 October 2017 04:17 PM

Then kim jong un can also form a communist party here .

Sagara Saturday, 14 October 2017 04:43 PM

If a foriegn natinal can setuo a political party and nominate a candidate to contest elections then Sri Lanka surely is a failed state where no other country in the world do nit allow such a situation. May be Global Tamil Forum can open a political party in sri lanka and nominate Eelaam candidate(s) to contest elections in Sri lanka. Really a bizarre situation

Lord Wolfstein Saturday, 14 October 2017 05:04 PM

After immigration laws a foreigner is not allowed to involve in politics.

S.P.RAMKUMAR Saturday, 14 October 2017 06:12 PM

If Sri Lankan hold foreign citizenship cannot become a Member of Parliament, then How can foreigner have party office in Colombo. If you say no problem then party member can contest Election.

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EC to check whether foreigners can hold party office

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