The granting of Dual Citizenship has been reintroduced by a Cabinet approval and will be in force from today. This was revealed by the Additional Secretary (Civil Security & Development) of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Mrs. Damayanthi Jayaratna during the weekly press briefing held at the Media Centre in Colombo

Speaking to the media she said that upon a Cabinet decision the granting of Dual Citizenship which had been temporarily suspended during the end of 2011 has been reinstated. Formerly the process was to grant a five year Permanent Residency Visa and thereafter grant the Dual Citizenship. Since expatriate Sri Lankans living in foreign countries have requested from the President and the Secretary Defence to grant the Dual Citizenship straightaway as they have expressed their willingness to come and live here permanently and invest their money and also want to send their children to state schools here. Some needed to continue working in state or private sector entities here. In considering this, the Government decided to grant Dual Nationality straightaway with immediate effect, she further clarified.

Further speaking she said that unlike the earlier method the new process of granting Dual Nationality involves two steps. In the earlier method the applicants are not interviewed but the new administrative procedure involves an interview process as well.

Explaining on the selection process she said that at the first step the applications are received through the respective diplomatic missions with the authentication of the High Commissioner or Ambassadors of the local missions abroad. The eligibility of the applicant should be certified by them. A Cabinet approval special committee will look into the suitability of the applicants and will also check into the authenticity of the certificates or documents produced by the applicants. Based on the suitability and authenticity of the documents together with the Head of Mission's recommendation the committee will proceed to the second stage.

In the second stage the applicants are required to face an interview with the committee and based upon the findings of this process the committee will recommend the applicant's eligibility and forward it to the President who is the Minister of Defence for his approval. Through this process successful applicants will be granted Dual Nationality straight away.

Director/Spokesperson of the Media Centre Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya, Controller General of the Department of Immigrations Mr. Nimal Ranasinghe, Deputy Controller General Mr. Harsha Illukpitiy and Assistant Secretary (MOD&UD) Mr. Saman Dissanyayake were also associated with the media briefing.

Ministry of Defence and Urban Development