Hassle-free system for dual citizenship for 10 countries

31 December 2014 09:32 am - 41 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Defence Ministry said today it would introduce a system of dual citizenship which is applicable to citizens of 10 countries after being interviewed.

Civil Defence and Development Additional Secretary Damayanthi Jayaratne said the system would allow Sri Lankans to obtain dual citizenship without much hassle.

According to the previous system, Sri Lankans living abroad with permanent residency for five years were eligible to apply for dual citizenship.

“The latest system will allow Sri Lankans to obtain dual citizenship after they are interviewed by a Cabinet-appointed panel,” she said.

Sri Lankans living in the US, Canada, Switzerland, France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Sweden and Italy will be permitted to request for dual citizenship in this category.

“Because of numerous requests received from Sri Lankans living abroad to settle here to launch business ventures, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa have instructed that a hassle-free be implemented,” Ms. Jayaratne said.

The granting of dual citizenship was suspended by the government two years ago. Since then the authorities continued to receive a spate of inquiries about the status of the facility. The Cabinet earlier granted approval for the amendment of the relevant laws.(DS &LP )

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Comments - 41

prem Thursday, 01 January 2015 12:57 PM

Including EElam citizens if they are Tamils (no need to say as EElam is ethnically cleansed) and people of Nasirstan.

Asoka Wednesday, 31 December 2014 06:38 PM

Finally, good decision. When will this officially implement? I do not think this is also another election promise.

wijesiri Wednesday, 31 December 2014 09:40 PM

thank you

My3 Wednesday, 31 December 2014 10:24 PM

I will allow all countries. Srilankans. please wait just 9 days.

sri Wednesday, 31 December 2014 10:42 PM

Good point ! Hope not after the elections everything will be forgoton

SL Wednesday, 31 December 2014 11:24 PM

"What about the Srilankans in UK.?"Nothing. it only effect UK citizens with Sri Lsankan origin.

Waco Thursday, 01 January 2015 05:24 AM

Any one born in Sri Lanka should be granted dual citizenship without any question. Check only the criminal records.

Nath Thursday, 01 January 2015 06:00 AM

Norway does not allow dual citizenship and Germany only allow for young generation, who bone in Germany. This media publication issued in hurry and only expect some election gain.

Tushara Thursday, 01 January 2015 08:22 AM

So punish sri lankans living in UK for a spat with David Cameron.

Bala Thursday, 01 January 2015 12:39 PM

yes , why interview ??? provided the applicant possess all relevant documents . This is something funny. you need to set the basis (documents and criminal records ) for the dual citizenship. Not interview by panel

kallatoni Thursday, 01 January 2015 12:41 PM

Do you know why this special low in a rush: Several top guys holding onto power of this government and others exploiting the country said to be US citizens. They have no right to continue this malice further without citizenship. That is why they give duel citizenship to selected countries where their lackeys are living.

karigalan Wednesday, 31 December 2014 06:31 PM

Good decision this will allow foregin currency in flow

carlos Thursday, 01 January 2015 01:04 PM

What about citizens of another country who ar sri lankan by descent?.ie.if the father or mother is sri lankan and the person was born in another country.

Mohamed Thursday, 01 January 2015 02:34 PM

It is for their own survival they make the rules.

Lux Jothikumar Friday, 02 January 2015 09:03 PM

Please find enclosed tha paper newsRaj

perera Saturday, 03 January 2015 01:41 AM

In a bigger picture as a former Sri Lankan, Canadian I am happy with introducing tough rules as to who becomes Sri Lankans. We should not forget what we went through as nation. The only issue I have is why the introduction of the system took so long. Information should have posted on the immigration website but it still says "Acceptance of Dual Citizenship applications are temporary discontinued until further notice". Only the media is making a huge brag about it while leaving Sri Lankans abroad on the lurch. I am puzzled with the way it is happening as we are so close to another election and no one knows any details expect what media says.

asanka Saturday, 03 January 2015 03:02 AM

How could this be a hassle free system when the applicants need to travel to Sri Lanka out of their own expense to face an interview. After all who knows that the person will be granted the dual citizenship knowing the situation in Sri Lanka. This is only a political promise.

Ratna Saturday, 03 January 2015 07:55 AM

What are the requirements to apply for dual citizenship???

Peter Saturday, 03 January 2015 01:35 PM

People who needed dual citizenship for a legitimate purposes and contributes to best of Sri Lanka future should be happy about re-implementing the granting of dual citizenship no matter what the method is.

L Caldera Saturday, 03 January 2015 04:14 PM

I want to know why it is not applicable to Srilankans in the UK? I am a permanent residence holder and my wife and children are British citizens, we need our duel citizenship back. Please let me know how can i apply?

Ms. Yvonne fonseka Saturday, 24 January 2015 07:05 PM

Another news item re dual citizenship

what logic? Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:56 PM

Why penalise for former Sri Lankans living in countries other than these ten? What logic behind these? Nothing but idiotic ..typical of this Govt!!

BudinOz Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:24 PM

At last came a half baked cake.

Sec def Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:30 PM

Dear upul, I saw the post and thought best if we could clarify the position with regards to the dual citizenship in Srilanka. This will be applicable to the United Kingdom and the applicants from all other uk held territories.

Podi Putha Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:30 PM

@Upul Perera, you are an idiot. The article heading says the new system is for 10 countries and goes on to list those 10 counties. And you question about a country which is NOT included in that list? Ask that question from MoD, not in this comments section. But for doing so, you are an idiot.

Cheers Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:35 PM

Oops sorry ask David Cameron as he loves the Tamil Tigers his best buddies for his own political survival. Good luck mate looking at your name and if you are a singhalese you will not have any probs

lal Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:36 PM

All the better for suspects to jump ship post elections.

shace-UK Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:38 PM

Under Norway law you cannot have dual citizenship... Hence scrap Norway in the list and replace with UK

Nelum Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:42 PM

What about them?

K Suriyaarachchi Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:43 PM

what about people living in UK

wijesiri Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:53 PM

Why not Sri Lankans in other countires.

Upul Perera Wednesday, 31 December 2014 03:44 PM

What about the Srilankans in UK.?

Ashen Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:58 PM

This will useful for Basil Rajapakse ..Why current Government fear about this election this much !!!

Amal Samaratunga Wednesday, 31 December 2014 04:59 PM

Good news. Appreciate very much !But when will this new system will be implemented?Also would like to know the procedure to apply through this new scheme

rw Wednesday, 31 December 2014 05:07 PM

too late to get credit via DM Android App

Citizines Wednesday, 31 December 2014 05:16 PM

When will this happen? Is it another election ploy?

Modaya Wednesday, 31 December 2014 05:27 PM

Why a cabinet appointed panel? Why Is there a fear to delegate authority to the Immigration dept.? What type of governance is this? Hope Jan8th will bring relief to the masses.

Kumara Kodippily Wednesday, 31 December 2014 05:29 PM

Government should come up with a method to hold interviews in the countries where they are presently living.Consulates or Embassies in that country should be able to conduct required interviews at a reasonable added fee.It is not possible for some one to travel all the way to Sri Lanka, for just an interview.If candidates do not meet the 100% necessary requirements, can be asked to go to Sri Lanka to for a second interview. This method will help to catch culprits at your door.

Kumara Kodippily Wednesday, 31 December 2014 05:29 PM

Government should come up with a method to hold interviews in the countries where they are presently living.Consulates or Embassies in that country should be able to conduct required interviews at a reasonable added fee.It is not possible for some one to travel all the way to Sri Lanka, for just an interview.If candidates do not meet the 100% necessary requirements, can be asked to go to Sri Lanka to for a second interview. This method will help to catch culprits at your door.

Anju de Silva Wednesday, 31 December 2014 06:14 PM

India is family while China is a friend. And now see the list, all these videsheeya balawegas. The duel citizenship on offer is not only for people with Sri Lankan origin, but to all citizens listed (of course for who meets the criteria)

m Wednesday, 31 December 2014 06:26 PM

Duel citizenship was a basic right of all born in Sri Lanka and live abroad , which was in practice in the past Why this was stopped ? It will not be a new thing for the Gov. to introduce now just allow the same old ways to continue,,,,,without trying to get political mileage from this issue too.

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Hassle-free system for dual citizenship for 10 countries

Comments - 41

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