All tight lipped; Speaker to seek legal notice to get names of dual citizens

2 November 2022 06:07 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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As the 21st amendment was passed in Parliament recently, the question which has now hit the House by storm is which MP is a dual citizen? While silent whispers and internal talks continue among the parliamentarians, no name has still come to light with almost all departments remaining tight lipped over it.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration launched a special investigation last week following a request made under the Right to Information Act, to identify which MPs are dual citizens.

The Department is yet to finalize its investigations stating that the probe was conducted based on a document containing the date of birth, name and National Identity Number referred by Parliament.

Sources within the Parliament however said they had no idea as to who the MPs are who are dual citizens as such information was not required to be registered by Parliament.

There was no legal provision for it, and none of the 225 MPs have declared themselves to be dual citizens to the House.

The only name that became publicized in recent months is that of Basil Rajapaksa who is no longer an MP and due to his firm belief to remain an American will not have any place to contest in a Sri Lankan election or hold a parliamentary seat in the future.

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena who has been under pressure to divulge the names is yet to get any indication from the Immigration and Emigration Department.

Sources close to the Speaker told Daily Mirror that Abeywardena will seek a legal notice to obtain the names from the Immigration and Emigration Department and will also seek the advice of the Attorney General and the Justice Ministry.

After this, the names are likely to be made public. According to sources, it is possible that over 6 names of MPs may surface once the probe is completed but to date the names are running on speculation only.

MP Udaya Gammanpila has already alleged that State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage was a dual citizen as she was a UK citizen to which Diana has challenged Gammanpila to go to court to prove his claim that she was not a Sri Lankan citizen.

Rumors were also afloat that some MPs from within the TNA may also be dual citizen holders but this allegation was shot down by senior TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, who stated that there were no dual citizens within the TNA.

He however said that they had heard there were many dual citizens in Parliament and if so this should be investigated and action should be taken to remove them.

Some FR petitions are also likely to be filed in the coming weeks to get more information on who the possible dual citizens are and according to sources those MPs who are likely to be exposed are also preparing to challenge their stand. (Jamila Husain)

Comments - 28

Observer Wednesday, 02 November 2022 09:57 AM

Can't the Speaker ask all Parliamentarians to forward Affidavits as to their National status? The present law may be applicable for any false Declarations.

N.M. Perera Wednesday, 02 November 2022 10:15 AM

Have allegiance to only One Country. Under Oath the protect the Constitution and Integrity of Sri Lanka. Cannot serve two at the same time. All be removed forthwith. Seek order of the Supreme Court.

Neil Wednesday, 02 November 2022 10:30 AM

Make non-disclosure punishable by a lengthy prison sentence, as now obtaining any benefits equates to fraud.

freddy fox Wednesday, 02 November 2022 10:51 AM

Why all this fuss and hype to get names when all it needs is to get this info from it's computers in the Immigration and Emigration department or enroll our embassies in the Western countries to provide this

Gunadasa Wednesday, 02 November 2022 11:12 AM

SL Immigration Dept or our embassies in other countries do not get the information when a Sri Lankan takes citizenship of another country

I am patriot Wednesday, 02 November 2022 11:26 PM

Why other government will inform about it? It violates the privacy of the new citizen. Some maybe coming from repressive country like ours, so no democratic country will inform on who it's new citizens are to hell hole government like ours. Your attitude shows why our country will always be doing human rights violation against it's own citizen.

GHT Wednesday, 02 November 2022 11:14 AM

Dual citizenship is not a CRIME but it should be considered as a LEGAL RIGHTS of the SRI LANKAN CITIZENS. This act proves targeting ONE FAMILY i.e. none other than RAJAPAKSAS, to CRIPPLE their political RIGHTS

vince Wednesday, 02 November 2022 02:42 PM

rubbish. all they have to do is disclose it under oath. Otherwise another pandora beckons. Rajapakses are not the only ones to get a hit. there are others too. In any case, what is so special about this sleazy thieving family?

Happy citizen Wednesday, 02 November 2022 08:35 PM

Sadly, Sri Lankan only citizens are jealous and want to attack and destroy any who through years of toil achieve another citizenship. It is better if you're overseas to look at Sri Lankan only citizens with disdain, as they will otherwise shower you with their hate and you have no defense against their mad attacks.

Neil Wednesday, 02 November 2022 11:14 AM

If it is too hard for the parliament to find out who are the dual citizens in there, surely that shows how incompetent the parliament is. Can you expect these idiots to develop a country. Shame on you SL Government.

Happy citizen Wednesday, 02 November 2022 08:38 PM

You really are living in the land of the fairies, if you believe with the culture in the country, and religion in the Constitution that our country can ever develop. Next you might believe the Taliban can make Afghanistan great too.

Abd Wednesday, 02 November 2022 12:24 PM

If parliamentarians hide their duel citizenship and no way find who are they how grab income tax by hiding businessman, that are passing lame regulations practically impossible

Peace Wednesday, 02 November 2022 12:33 PM

@GHT- Are you in a dream world ? Many laws were passed affecting the minority rights. They have been crippled.This is why there should be more autonomy in the North and East. Two states in one country.

Action for freedom Wednesday, 02 November 2022 08:44 PM

@Peace You know UNP is historically genocidal. In 1949, the UNP government stripped the Indian Tamils of their nationality, including their right to vote. The Sirima-Shastri Pact of 1964 and Indira-Sirimavo supplementary agreement of 1974 brought the means for the deportation of 600,000 persons of Indian origin to India. That's what provoked the Jaffna Tamil to fight for separate state. Sri Lanka culture has historically been always about attacking the vulnerable or minority groups. Today it's dual citizens being smashed! Finger pointing to any person having minority belief accusing as dual-citizen devil!

Terrence Wednesday, 02 November 2022 01:43 PM

Now it is a guessing game and the public is speculating. In my opinion Diana may not be a dual citizen as she would not have got British citizenship but on PR which is permanent residency in other words who doesn't want to obtain citizenship of UK he or she can be a Permanent Resident (ie. indefinite leave to stay) the only criteria under PR he or she cannot stay out of the country more than 2 years and has to return to UK before this period to ensure the PR is valid otherwise he or she has to reapply for its continuity

Terrence Wednesday, 02 November 2022 01:43 PM

Now it is a guessing game and the public is speculating. In my opinion Diana may not be a dual citizen as she would not have got British citizenship but on PR which is permanent residency in other words who doesn't want to obtain citizenship of UK he or she can be a Permanent Resident (ie. indefinite leave to stay) the only criteria under PR he or she cannot stay out of the country more than 2 years and has to return to UK before this period to ensure the PR is valid otherwise he or she has to reapply for its continuity

Ram Wednesday, 02 November 2022 01:58 PM

I believe all candidates gave declarations that they are SL citizens and not dual citizens as 19A was in force that time. When the names are known they must be charged criminally for making false declarations and/or affidavits

Action for freedom Wednesday, 02 November 2022 08:50 PM

Too busy chasing dual citizens to realize there's a 100 times more worst crimes happening than for the non-existent dual citizens to be in parliament.

Roshan samarathunga Wednesday, 02 November 2022 02:00 PM

Excellent news 225 feed in the canteen. It’s not easy to find nutritional diet to stay healthy. These heavy weights is too heavy for the parliament.

Aquarius Wednesday, 02 November 2022 02:29 PM

The 21st amendment says no one with a dual nationality can represent the people in parliament or any other local body, which is a conflict of interest. It does not address of dual nationality of other ordinary citizens of the country. Those in parliament, if they have nothing to worry, should come forward.

Happy citizen Wednesday, 02 November 2022 08:39 PM

Only conflict of interest should be the ongoing scams and hidden commission agreements. The 21A is just a charade to distract people from you while billions more are either siphoned off, or being planned to be siphoned off. And there's nothing you can do about it, while your thoroughly occupied tilting at windmills (dual citizens).

Dayan Wednesday, 02 November 2022 05:20 PM

What is the big issue here. Dissolve parliament. Call for election. Ask election commissioner to obtaine proof from each candidate to the effect they are not dual cotizens.

I am patriot Wednesday, 02 November 2022 11:28 PM

You are seeking what the Opposition parties want. Some government side MP say that the whole 21A was unfair even. Which considering about it, it is. It's all a witch hunt, when the real crooks are getting by fine.

citizen Wednesday, 02 November 2022 06:11 PM

Firstly there is good reason a dual reason cannot serve in parliment. Any citizen has to swear aligence to a foreign country to get citizenship. This means there is serious doubt if they will or can put the interests of Sri Lanka first before their other country. The foreign country can also use their citizenship and their parlimentary post to manipulate the individual to divulge state, military or economic sensitive information that will not be in the best interests of Sri Lanka or its citizens. Secondly, all dual nationals have to reapply for Sri Lankan nationality as their original Sri Lankan nationality is automatically cancelled when they become a foreign citizen. So all records of dual nationals will be in the immigration department. The information will not be released by foreign governments due to data protection laws unless there are national security reasons. So the speaker can get all the information he needs without asking the MPs and publish this.

Action for freedom Wednesday, 02 November 2022 08:49 PM

There are persons convicted of bribe taking in parliament. Ranil and SLPP government is hiring, the internationally rejected persons like Erik Solheim and Nirj Deva for getting funds from overseas organisations. There are MP with bribery court cases, and so many who gained unexplained great wealth once they become Minister. All that is ignored, because citizen can't handle fighting to push those criminal types away. Instead the silly types chase after non-existing dual citizens. Dual citizens were never an issue, it's the majority of MPs with bribe taking attitude that's the problem. And public who worship the bribe takers as super starts.

Buddhist Wednesday, 02 November 2022 06:27 PM

Why only the Constitution violating Speaker, why not the Elections Commissioner also not investigate?

Mahila Wednesday, 02 November 2022 10:12 PM

Speaker is the Parliamentary rights custodian! Elections Commissioner only elections!

Priyanee Wijesekera Friday, 04 November 2022 10:09 PM

All public servants take an oath to uphold the constitution. When the Constitution disqualifies dual citizens from holding the position of MP it is up to the elections commission ,The Secretary General of Parliament as well as the Controller of Immigration and emigration to give effect to such provisions without pretending to be deaf and blind

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All tight lipped; Speaker to seek legal notice to get names of dual citizens

Comments - 28

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