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Dual citizenship: Gota says US can’t block individual rights

18 January 2019 02:45 am - 44     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the matter of dual-citizenship was something personal to him and he did not think the US could block individual rights.

He said this in response to journalists at the Special High Court premises when they asked him about renouncing his dual citizenship and reports that he may not be allowed to do so.

Mr. Rajapaksa said he could either cancel or keep the dual-citizenship as it was something personal.

“It is something personal to me. As a personal matter, I can either get it removed or keep it. No one should make it an issue. No man can be kept tied. The US hails itself as the father of liberal democracy. So, can they obstruct individual rights for any reason? They can’t,” he said.

When asked about contesting the presidential election, he said, “I have already said I’m ready,” (Lahiru Pothmulla)


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  Comments - 44

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  • mohan Friday, 18 January 2019 03:13 AM

    he is not willing to fulfill requirement (Citizenship) but he want to become president .

    das Friday, 18 January 2019 08:35 AM

    His bogus arguments may fool the yakkos here, but not get him that far in the US. Besides, this whole thing looks like a diversionary tactic to distract attention. He would not announce his true intentions this early

    Perumal Friday, 18 January 2019 09:16 AM

    He says either he can get it removed or keep it. So please get your Sri Lankan citizenship removed and then we are blessed.

    Dual Friday, 18 January 2019 09:40 AM

    Why does he not contest the US Presidential election ???

    Appu Friday, 18 January 2019 03:42 AM

    In the USA, still they implement the capital punishment for murderers. If you do any crime in USA, the punishment will be according to the US law

    chaminda Friday, 18 January 2019 08:41 AM

    that US law applies to any US citizens even if the murder is committed outside the US

    TMA Friday, 18 January 2019 04:09 AM

    Funny that you are concerned about US blocking your rights when you literally took away the right to live from journalists and Tamil civilians

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 18 January 2019 09:35 AM

    Absolutely true.

    RR Friday, 18 January 2019 05:14 AM

    You can have the duel- citizanship and enjoy yourself. You can stay and enjoy in Sri Lanka but if you wish to become an MP or a Prime Minister, there are rules to prohit that.

    Banda Friday, 18 January 2019 05:18 AM

    They can't as long as you never rob others individual right when you were a powerful man in the recent past while you are a fellow citizen of Trump.

    Banda Friday, 18 January 2019 05:23 AM

    They can't as long as you never rob others individual right when you were a powerful man in the recent past while you are a fellow citizen of Trump.

    Patriot Friday, 18 January 2019 06:13 AM

    To my knowledge, now. Dual. Citizen s contest for election s. Same rule that applied to Geetha.

    Sarath Friday, 18 January 2019 06:25 AM

    You pledge loyalty to America. Then don't try and pretend you are loyal to Mother Lanka. If you are loyal to Mother Lanka how come you gave up Sri Lankan citizenship in the first place?

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 18 January 2019 09:40 AM

    Very good question.

    cheers Friday, 18 January 2019 06:25 AM

    He is ready watch out UNP, JVP, TNA and also trouble makers in the north he will come behind you

    rajindasilva@yahoo.com Friday, 18 January 2019 06:34 AM

    US never said.

    RP Friday, 18 January 2019 07:00 AM

    Gota cannot be ready until he renounce US citizenship. It may be personal to him but US too has certain rights over what they gave. When a person acquires any overseas citizenship the as per SL laws SL citizenship is gone automatically unless the person applies to retain SL citizenship. Likewise there could be consequences attached to US citizenship too when renouncing, specially owning assets in US

    Arnold Friday, 18 January 2019 07:08 AM

    True patriotism is standing with his nation no matter what happens.

    BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 18 January 2019 09:43 AM

    Patriotism is a logic used as the last refuge of a scoundrel.

    ra Friday, 18 January 2019 07:26 AM

    If US does not want him to a candidate, they can delay the process. It is now obvious that US and its allies do not want return of Rajapaksas and human right violation.

    raj Friday, 18 January 2019 07:28 AM

    If MR forms majority government before presidential election, they would change the legislation to allow dual citizens to contest in elections. If that happen, he does not have to give up his US citizenship

    raj Friday, 18 January 2019 07:32 AM

    If MR forms majority government before presidential election, they would change the legislation to allow dual citizens to contest in elections. If that happen, he does not have to give up his US citizenship

    Amantha Friday, 18 January 2019 07:36 AM

    Talk about patriotism yet somehow reluctant to let go of US citizenship.

    Gamage Friday, 18 January 2019 07:56 AM

    What is this secrecy of his US citizenship ? Is he ready to give up that ? A person who is not ready to give up his US citizen is ready to contest for SL Presidency !

    Hari M Friday, 18 January 2019 08:01 AM

    For once I agree with him, that you have the right to renounce your citizenship or green card.

    Damien Friday, 18 January 2019 08:39 AM

    When the last US Ambasssador, Atul Keshap, made a courtesy call on Former Pres. MR in June last. prior to her departure, it was reported that she advised him NOT to nominate Gota as the Presidential candidate as the US and the West did not consider him favourably. Of course, she was NOT giving her personal opinion but expressing the US Official Policy.The ONLY way Uncle Sam will change that policy is by Gota making a Deal with Uncle Sam. He had been spending a lot of time in the US in the past few months. May be he has struck a deal with them for him to be so open about contesting the next Presidential Elections and the ease of renouncing his US citizenship

    Sahan Friday, 18 January 2019 09:46 AM

    you believing Athul is a ‘she’ reflects how much knowledge you got about this matter

    ase Friday, 18 January 2019 12:55 PM

    Demian, you are powerful than the SL president, you have converted a man to a woman ha, ha .lol

    Gen Friday, 18 January 2019 04:26 PM

    And you believe former 7 eleven attendee in US can go to US and get appointments with the higherup regarding his personal matters,??? When he is nobody in SL now.

    peter Friday, 18 January 2019 08:45 AM

    so lets do a deal, lets get Trump to run for SL presidency

    kudson Friday, 18 January 2019 09:37 AM

    only ignorant clowns will vote for this war criminal

    Kingsley Wijesinhe Friday, 18 January 2019 11:11 AM

    Unfortunately, most voters in Sri Lanka are ignorant clowns.

    CITIZEN Friday, 18 January 2019 10:25 AM

    Since the US considers you brothers as "war criminals" do you think they will let you off the hook by allowing you to relinquish your citizenship?

    Lankan in USA. Friday, 18 January 2019 11:19 AM

    Criminals will vote for him. When lost Steel all the wealth from our country and leave.

    das Friday, 18 January 2019 01:10 PM

    Criminals and fools, both

    Rasheed Friday, 18 January 2019 11:22 AM

    Your arguments might work in Sri Lankan courts, but US courts are different.

    Vvn Friday, 18 January 2019 12:41 PM

    US won't block an individual's rights; but they can block a criminal's rights.

    SENA Friday, 18 January 2019 12:43 PM

    In a recent speech you spoke about human rights etc .. Remember that ?

    Jude Friday, 18 January 2019 01:17 PM

    You Scumbag, you RENOUNCED SL Citizenship!! And took a oath and swear that your allegiance to America ONLY !! Mind you America DON'T allow Dual Nationalty!!!

    Jude Friday, 18 January 2019 01:20 PM

    RENOUNCED LANKAN citizenship for Greener Pastures and Obtained a Green Card YOU Douchebag!!!

    Kalana perera Friday, 18 January 2019 03:22 PM

    You did only contract a job offered by defence ministry being expat How you became entitle to claim countries affairs having kept US citizenship as it is

    Victoria Friday, 18 January 2019 03:23 PM

    Haha, this man is a joke. Just a few days ago he was saying how 'individual rights' have lesser importance than the rights of the whole society etc. yet, here he is talking about the importance of his individual rights and personal matters!!! No shame at all.

    RR Monday, 21 January 2019 06:38 PM

    In all what you say there is a meaning, but if you are a duel-citizen there is a special meaning. ie - You are a citizen of United States and also a citizen of Sri Lanka. You are obliged to respect and follow the Rules of both countries. You cannot do what you want and say that it is personnel.

    RR Monday, 21 January 2019 06:48 PM

    In all what you say there is a meaning, but if you are a duel-citizen there is a special meaning. ie - You are a citizen of United States and also a citizen of Sri Lanka. You are obliged to respect and follow the Rules of both countries. You cannot do what you want and say that it is personnel.


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