Granting dual citizenships to review

 Sunday, 22 February 2015 

A special committee will be appointed to review dual citizenships granted by the Defence Ministry during previous government.

According to the source, over 2000 people were granted for the  dual citizenships  and most of it would be cancelled.

The Minister of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs John Amaraunga said, even though the granting of dual citizenships was cancelled in 2010, with the approval of higher officials at the Defence Ministry, dual citizenships were later granted without a proper study.

The Minister said that it has been revealed that some officials have taken monetary briberies to grant dual citizenships to some people.

Amaratunga said that all the dual citizenships granted in this way would be reviewed and those given without meeting the required criteria would be cancelled. In addition the government is focusing on recommencing of granting dual citizenships and the ministerial draft in this regard will be presented to parliament within next two weeks, he said.

Earlier the head of the household had to pay Rs. 200,000 to obtain a dual citizenship while a family member had to pay Rs. 50,000.

The new Government will charge main householder Rs. 300,000 and other members, Rs 100,000 each.
After considering the requests from Sri Lankans in foreign countries, the government has decided to grant dual citizenships, the minister further added.