19 August 2019 11:26 pm
In response to comments about the name of SLPP Presidential Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s name not being in the Federal Register, US Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz said on Monday that the Federal Register could often be months behind the recording of one’s renunciation of citizenship.
In an interactive session with a select group of journalists at her residence, she said the renunciation of citizenship was an administrative process.
“You follow the steps. You eventually renounce your citizenship. However, she declined to comment on specific cases of renunciation citing that she had to abide by the laws of her country."
She made these remarks in response to a question about comments made regarding the absence of Mr. Rajapaksa’s name in the list.
At the event, she also responded to a query about the US embassy expressing concern about the appointment of Maj.Gen. Shavendra Silva. She said it was only an articulation of her country's position.
The ambassador said there was a difference between telling a country what to do and expressing concern on its actions.
“My obligation is to share the policies and decisions of the United States,” she said. (Kelum Bandara)