President's name appears in latest Federal Register of those renounced US citizenship

8 May 2020 07:33 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's name appeared in the latest quarterly publication of the US Federal Register of individuals who have chosen to renounce their US citizenship.

The publication which was issued today can be viewed at the official website of the US Federal Register.

During the days leading up to the last presidential election, the issue of then SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa's US citizenship became a hot topic.

Since the Constitution of Sri Lanka does not allow a dual citizenship holder to run for the office of the President or even to be elected as an MP, many political opponents and activities questioned the authenticity of Mr. Rajapaksa renouncing his US citizenship when his name did not appear in several quarterly Federal Register publications.

However, Mr. Rajapaksa continued to hold his ground and said he legitimately renounced the US citizenship on April 17 last year and was issued a new passport by the Sri Lankan Immigration and Emigration Department mentioning he is a Sri Lankan citizen.

Mr. Rajapaksa said that he received the official document pertaining to the renunciation of his US citizenship from the US State Department on April 26.

However, since his name was not mentioned in several quarterly Federal Register publications leading up to the Presidential Election, political opponents and activists continued to question the authenticity of Mr. Rajapaksa foregoing his US citizenship.

In this backdrop, the US Embassy including the US Ambassador on several occasions said the name of someone who renounced US citizenship may not appear in the immediate next Federal Register publication.

They said it could take months for a name of someone chosen to renounce US citizenship to appear in the publication.

Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz once said that the Federal Register could often be months behind the recording of one’s renunciation of citizenship.

Further, confirming President Rajapaksa renouncing his US citizenship, when contacted today, a spokesperson of the US Embassy said, "I can confirm that Gotabaya Rajapaksa renounced his US citizenship in April 2019 and is no longer a US citizen." (Lahiru Pothmulla)

The link

The official website of the US Federal Register

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Comments - 20

sam silva Friday, 08 May 2020 07:45 PM

What he said was corrected though certain people wanted to block his presidency

Lord Wolfstein Friday, 08 May 2020 07:58 PM

That means he was still an US citizen when he was elected president. So his presidency is illegal.

BigEars Friday, 08 May 2020 09:08 PM

This is what crossed my mind. From when is this list effective?

Max Friday, 08 May 2020 09:25 PM

Wolfstein, from where did you learn logic? Or have you ever studied the subject in a school?

supun Friday, 08 May 2020 09:30 PM

I think you got it wrong. they explained the process and said a name to appear in this document could take a while

Chris Friday, 08 May 2020 09:31 PM

We are sure this will be a legal issue but we cannot expect a fair trial as reported by president sirisena that cj beged for .............,then again voice cuts, tapes of Ranjan Ramanayake etc........showed us what a corrupt legal we have. So we are sure justice will not ...............As such we could have foreign...........to deal with.......

gamunu Friday, 08 May 2020 10:09 PM

Get lost Wolfie. Still grumbling.

Antony Jude Friday, 08 May 2020 09:22 PM

Now only he gets legal validity for his renunciation. That means he was illegally nominated and elected as President. How did Election Commission accept his nomination for presidential election????

Siripala Friday, 08 May 2020 09:28 PM

Aren't you happy with the fact that he followed the process and took necessary actions to renounce US citizenship even after winning the election?

jayt Friday, 08 May 2020 09:28 PM

It does not matter, he is still a foreigner by descendance and related Tamil Tigers' race. Therefore, he is not qualified to serve the interest of Sinhalese Buddhists. For example, if Sri lanka need remove Tamil and other races for permanent safety of Sri lanka, he cannot do it because he himself descendant of another race and have Tamil relatives

Gayan Friday, 08 May 2020 09:36 PM

There are duel citizens in the election commission and parliament still. Not ethical.

ari Friday, 08 May 2020 09:43 PM

All those weak hearted NGO's and politicians who cried foul many moons ago now have to eat humble pie.

Thilaxshan Friday, 08 May 2020 09:48 PM

Yes he was tactfully used Moratuwa University EEE department head Prof. Dayananda and deleted US Embassage message (which was received by foreign ministry) from Sri Lanka's system, All Game operated at Tripoli store complex Police office. at the time of presidential Election he was United State Citizen. Finally truth came to light.

Kamal Friday, 08 May 2020 09:49 PM

I went to the link. The first para specifically mentions that this listing contains the name of each individual losing citzenship with respect to whom the secretary received information during the quarter ending March 31,2020. How about that?

sena Friday, 08 May 2020 10:02 PM

Bye bye

SUREN Friday, 08 May 2020 10:25 PM

THE SAME CABAAL HAS GONE AGAIN TO THE COURTS. WILL BE THE SAME VERDICT BY THE CORTS AGAIN!

Mify Saturday, 09 May 2020 11:26 AM

Even if he is a citizen he won't risk his life visiting there. People at his ages are dying so faster.

Anton Saturday, 09 May 2020 01:27 PM

The reason I cannot fathom out is why a person who hold's ( or formally holding) a Foreign Passport was opted to be a Presidential Candidate? They could have easily won with a candidate like Susil Premajayantha Dinesh Goonewardene, without the Rajapakshas. People who left the country searching for green pastures, cannot be considered as patriots.

Buddhist Saturday, 09 May 2020 09:16 PM

If this is for the quarter ending March 2020 or there after then the President was a US Citizen when he was elected and took oath.

Chandra Saturday, 09 May 2020 09:54 PM

Now we know that for sure he has been a US Citizen. We all thought he was a nationalistic, Sinhala Buddhist, patriot before the election, who never ever become a part of any other nationality, except Sri Lankan.

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President's name appears in latest Federal Register of those renounced US citizenship

Comments - 20

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