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Immigration Chief to  ‘take time’ to respond to  citizenship RTIs on MPs

01 Nov 2022

  • Says no probe into MPs’ citizenship status
  • Dullas puts onus on Speaker of Parliament
BY Mirudhula Thambiah Department of Immigration and Emigration Controller General Harsha Illukpitiya said yesterday (31) that he will take his time to reply to the Right to Information (RTI) requests received with regard to the citizenship status of MPs.  Speaking to The Morning, Illukpitiya said that there are a few RTI requests recently received in regard to the MPs’ citizenship status, adding that he would take time to reply to these requests in line with the law.  “There have been a few RTI requests recently. I think that a few of them are concerning MPs. We have received them, but have not yet replied to anyone. We have more time, so we will take the time and do it. There is a legally recommended period of time to reply. I will utilise that time,” he added.  He also noted that there are several other RTI requests filed with the department.  “Most of the time, if the RTI officer can provide the proper answer at the time, they will continue with it. If there is any ambiguity, the officer would meet me for clarification.”  When queried as to whether there are any investigations being launched by the department in regard to the citizenship status of MPs, he said: “No. This is false news.” Meanwhile, speaking to the media on 30 October, MP Dullas Alahapperuma, commenting on the dual citizenship issue, requested the Speaker of Parliament to look into the matter and reveal the identities of dual-citizen MPs.  “It is the responsibility of the Speaker to look into this matter and reveal the truth to the country. It is a responsibility that cannot be neglected. Not only the Speaker, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, and if not, the Attorney General, should provide their advice in this regard. The Speaker should inform the country, as after the adoption of the 21st Amendment to the Constitution and his endorsement of it (which took place yesterday [31 October]), it becomes the fundamental law of the country,” he added.  Alahapperuma further said: “If someone evades the law and remains in Parliament, we have to denounce them, be they from any party. The politicians of this country think that rather than withdrawing their citizenship, it is easier to amend the Constitution. Therefore, I tell the Speaker that it is not a difficult task, and to reveal the truth in this regard to the country in the upcoming weeks.” Meanwhile, last week, polls monitor People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi, speaking to The Morning, said that his organisation had written to the Speaker to take action with regard to MPs holding dual citizenship, and had also made an RTI request to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to identify the MPs who are dual citizens. Once the information regarding MPs holding dual citizenship is obtained, he said, this information will be publicised for them to resign, failing which legal action will be taken, he added.   


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