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No barrier for Gota to relinquish US citizenship: Gammanpila

12 June 2018 09:20 am - 64     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa could relinquish the US citizenship without facing any barriers if he wishes to contest the upcoming Presidential Election, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila said yesterday.

Addressing a news conference, he said Mr. Rajapaksa had requested him to explain the true legal position and the procedure in respect of renunciation of the US citizenship.

“Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 is the governing law in respect of renunciation of citizenship. According to Section 349(a) (5) of the Act, any citizen who wishes to relinquish the citizenship can do so without any restriction. However, two restrictions have been introduced by case law. Firstly, if the citizen lodges the application, being in the USA, it will definitely be rejected. Secondly, if the applicant does not have any other citizenship, his application may be rejected,” Gammanpila said.

“The first step towards renouncing US citizenship is obtaining citizenship in another country. The second step is collecting requirements mentioned in form DS4079 to DS4083. Thirdly, the applicant should make the renunciation appointment with the US embassy,” Gammanpila said

“As the fourth step, you should attend the appointment with two persons to witness your signature. After briefing you about the consequences of renunciation of the citizenship, the documents will be executed. Thereafter, you will be issued with DS4083, Certificate of Loss of Nationality. It is like an insurance cover note or temporary driving license. It will be later replaced with a certificate issued by the Department of State. It is so simple and so quick,” Gammanpila added.

Therefore, he said the US Citizenship would not be an obstacle for Gotabaya Rajapaksa to contest the forthcoming presidential election. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

 

Video by Sanjeewa


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  Comments - 64

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  • Me Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:35 AM

    If so, there are 500,000 superior and brilliant expatriates can become our Prez..

    Pat Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:41 AM

    Wrong. Gota has to renounce American Cizenship first to be a Presidential candidate.

    Justica USA Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:43 AM

    But the new Election law in SL is that a person who has citizenship from another country CANNOT contest an election. What he is talking about is the renouncing of US citizenship. IF Gothabaya wanted to contest in 2020, he had enough time since the last elections to relinquish his US citizenship..WHY wait till the last moment to relinquish the US citizenship. IF he genuinely wanted to give away the US citizenship, he had more than enough time to do so...lets say its fine him fleeing SL, vacating post to save his life, IF there was a GENUINE threat..but since his bro became the president n hm being appointed the Defense Sec. surely there was no threat to his life with all the security he had.Not patriotic..but fishing in troubled waters..

    Upendra Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:45 AM

    Easy to loot and Jump?

    Dhammika Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:49 AM

    Which country has foreign passport holders/Nationals contested nor elected as head of state Mr. Gonpila . ( Australia had 2 MPs who held New Zealand citizenship were given the option to resign or give up their foreign citizenship ) FYI -

    Sarath Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:49 AM

    Rubbish. Until US Govt processes papers and you pay your taxes you cannot revoke citizenship. US Govt will be rich with the taxes Gota pays ;-)

    R. M. Kusal Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:54 AM

    Honestly, do you know the Law? Then please pray-off the hat collection of (Rs. 100/-) you got it from us and also return all the illegal money you got cheating the Foreigners and the poor people.

    CAN Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:55 AM

    I will ask Donald Trump to contest in the next Presidential Election in Sri Lanka.

    Warren Raed Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:26 PM

    That's a good one but I wonder whether gembanpila would understand the joke? LoL

    Kadupol Jothywansa Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:56 AM

    Are you a genuine Lawyer knows the Law or are you a cheating and looting politician in the JO.

    M. P.R. Ratwatte [Ex- Army Major] Tuesday, 12 June 2018 09:58 AM

    You are a shameless idiot washing clothes to Rajapakshe family for the sake of earning money illegally.

    Ven. Kottawa Amaratissa Thero Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:00 AM

    Gamampilla, first of all pay back 2.7 million from one of our businessman from Kottawa on a land deal. You cheat you cannot escape.

    Dhammika Tuesday, 12 June 2018 03:50 PM

    There are 3 things nobody can hide - THE SUN , THE MOON AND THE TRUTH --GAUTAMA BUDDHA .

    Palli Kanda Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:03 AM

    Here is our foreign minister of the next Rajapakse regime!!! God bless Sri Lanka.

    Sofia Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:14 AM

    Or may be Heaven or Hell help Sri Lanka.

    Scooby Doo Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:44 AM

    Whatever I am sure about one thing, one day, these Rajapaksha power hungry brothers will fight among themselves for the power.

    Real Peace Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:53 AM

    These guys will never let this poor Sri Lanka prosper

    MORRIS Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:20 AM

    BEFORE EMBARKING ON TO INTERPRET COMPLICATED CITIZENSHIP LAWS, WHY NOT CONCENTRATE ON THE CASE FILED BY AN AUSTRALIAN COUPLE AGAINST HIM ON SWINDLING THEIR SHARES.

    Joksters Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:03 AM

    Hahahahah what do you think that we will vote for him

    Srilankan Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:05 AM

    This is what we call in Sri Lanka ‘kadey yanawaa’

    ANTON Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:08 AM

    FIFTH STEP : EDUCATE SRILANKAN CITIZENS HOW TO CAST THEIR VALUABLE VOTES TOWARDS THE BETTERMENT OF THE COUNTRY AND PEOPLE.

    Johan Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:11 AM

    This Office boy is thinking if GR becomes President his fraud cases could be covered under the carpet

    Jude Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:16 AM

    Well, the ruling collation party simply pass a amendment to SL constitution that a person who RENOUNCED SL Citizenship cannot be eligible to contest SL Presidency!!! Period!!

    KR Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:26 AM

    How come Sri Lanka allowed him to hold a highly sensitive position as defence secretary when he is an American. How come a foreigner was allowed to handle such sensitive information?

    Dam Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:35 AM

    This doesn't mean that people must vote for him. Don't bull shit people. Let the people decide. You brought nothing but disgrace to the country being a office boy in Australia and cheating your masters

    KOLA KOTIYA Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:41 AM

    NEW CJ SWORN TODAY HE IS GOMMANPILA

    toppi sumane Tuesday, 12 June 2018 10:51 AM

    Can you clear your name from the court case against you before you talk on behalf of others

    kr Tuesday, 12 June 2018 03:45 PM

    Good question. He keeps getting it postponed and the judges are recusing themselves from the case, like falling dominoes. He who lost his cool when asked about the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga, has no guts to even appear before a court of law!!

    Citizen Perera Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:02 AM

    Office boy...converted to spokesman of foreign national.

    Dhammika Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:07 AM

    So his canvassing for AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT in SRI LANKA to make SL like USA has started . ( Wth MAFIA in control and WHITE VANS back in action )

    Criminal Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:09 AM

    They just try their utmost best to bring forth yet another mob boss into power ; they all were untouchables and no one would 've dared to question what they have done. If so they either ended up in six feet under or threatened to shut their pie holes up.we all know who you were /are /will.You can talk the talk ,you may walk the walk but remember this you and your phony party WILL never be in power.

    Samson Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:14 AM

    The voters know who ran away from the country for more than a decade and embraced US nationality. Such people and those who shop for such should never be voted to power.

    Nethra Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:29 AM

    Many Australians are eager to invest,but awaiting the case pending one of the Australians investment in the share market in Sri Lanka.

    naazrey Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:33 AM

    THERE ARE QUITE LOT OF OTHER ISSUES LIKE PAYING TAXES, CLEARING URSELF WITH COURT CASES, HUMAN RIGHT ISSUES. ABOVE OTHER MATTERS . PRESIDENT OF USA HAS HIS RIGHT TO DELAY A CHINA INCLINED MAN RENUNCIATION

    Refaideen Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:33 AM

    This man is explaining how easy it is to be come President of Sri Lanka like chewing a betal leaf and spitting on the floor.

    Josh Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:34 AM

    so Gota is ready to denounce his US citizenship? Why hasnt he done so till now?

    Scooby Doo Tuesday, 12 June 2018 03:05 PM

    He is not sure that he will win during the next Presidential election so he is holding it to go back.

    Warren Raed Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:31 PM

    So, he can escape to the US if he loses like he did the first time from the army. What a coward? Why are people afraid of this coward?

    Mandayan Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:39 AM

    Will Trump cast his vote to GR?

    Lord Wolfstein Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:48 AM

    It may not be an obstacle that Gota is a US citizen but it will be an obstacle that he is a looter and killer.

    Vipin B Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:02 PM

    Looks like this guy is planning for a ministerial post under GR. What a sick joke.

    Ramesh Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:05 PM

    See who is talking

    Waco Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:16 PM

    My3 to pack his Bags.

    Nimal Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:16 PM

    A bad lawyer pretending to be an expert on US law!

    Buddhi Perera Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:21 PM

    It would not be a barrier if his brother is the President of the USA

    CITIZEN Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:24 PM

    BOORUWA! How did Geeta K lose her seat? Where was your so-called brain at that time?? Apparently, as it is the public knowledge, it was in your shitting anus and is so!!! He is another synthetic lawyer in our country!!!

    lalith Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:28 PM

    Am Lankan naturalized citizen live in California please do not mislead innocent people of Lankan,with your ignorance men like you are totally disgrace to whole nation,when you are not conversant about the Sri Lankan constitution,you are trying to explain about immigration laws in USA and it's condition's,we know bunch of idiots like you are ready to suck the blood of the innocent in Sri Lankans with your stinky mouth be man with spine this is enough and enough.

    Sincere Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:45 PM

    But, the white vans??

    TONY Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:45 PM

    OUR LAW IS SIMPLE. A DUAL CITIZEN CANNOT CONTEST A PARLIAMENTARY OR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. MAY THEY CANNOT CONTEST LG ELECTIONS ALSO. THEREFORE, GEMBA DO NOT TRY TO HOODWINK THE MASSES. THERE ARE MORE EDUCATED PEOPLE THAN YOU IN THIS COUNTRY

    Alpenhorn Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:46 PM

    With Gota as a President Make Amerika Great again

    Sumedha Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:52 PM

    http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/59531

    TONY Tuesday, 12 June 2018 12:54 PM

    WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE ONLY BACKING THE RAJAPAKSHAS. ARENT THERE ANY OTHERS WHO IS MORE SUITABLE THAN THESE CROOKS

    Niran Tuesday, 12 June 2018 02:05 PM

    Enough is enough. Are all our patriots keen to start a new political party?

    iemerald Tuesday, 12 June 2018 02:07 PM

    blundering idiot. the 100 rupee man.we dont need a bloody foreigner running this country. let us kick out this idiot from parliament and politics forever people.

    Siri de Alwis Tuesday, 12 June 2018 02:28 PM

    Why not the Election commissioner comments on this matter.Siri

    Arjuna Ranawana Tuesday, 12 June 2018 03:16 PM

    Yes it is only legally. But, majority of the people were opposited

    renu Tuesday, 12 June 2018 04:06 PM

    Office boy's version let us know how he could give it up, What happens to his assets over in the USA ?

    KOLA KOTIYA Tuesday, 12 June 2018 04:12 PM

    CROOK IS SUPPORTING ANOTHER CROOK

    renu Tuesday, 12 June 2018 04:17 PM

    send all the comments to Gota and Office boy GONMANPILLA

    Nasnin Tuesday, 12 June 2018 04:56 PM

    Got a you first give up your US citizenship and then come forward AS A REAL PATRIOT instead of waiting till the last minute.

    Don Tuesday, 12 June 2018 07:54 PM

    KP's Money is still there to go for any number of elections.

    tishan Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:06 PM

    Gota has sworn to bear arms for US against any other country when he became a US citizen.

    Warren Raed Tuesday, 12 June 2018 11:23 PM

    Who gave you the right to change the constitution? Are you planning to get a good post after GR wins (if he wins)?

    GH Wednesday, 13 June 2018 12:01 AM

    Well said sir.


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