The Immigration and Emigration department will resume processing of dual citizenship applications in three months, after it was suspended last year.
Confirming recent reports that the process with include a final panel assessment led by the Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Ministry of Defence has stated that the panel will assess the applicant's "professional qualifications, investment capability and the need to acquire dual citizenship", and that "information relating to how they acquired a foreign citizenship has to be furnished by every applicant and the reason for seeking dual citizenship in Sri Lanka is also to be properly justified by every applicant".
Controller of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera said 'information provided by the applicants will be cross-checked with the relevant overseas Sri Lankan missions and officials of the Immigration and Emigration Department and other state stakeholders will evaluate the application before granting the permanent residency and dual citizenship status.'
