The increasing demand to obtain dual citizenship by Sri Lankans living abroad is a testimony on the positive political and economic development of the country, a senior government minister said yesterday.
Minister of Internal Affairs S. B. Navinna speaking at the citizenship awarding ceremony assured that the government is planning encourage Sri Lankans living abroad to return to the country and contribute to its development despite the rumors suggesting that awarding dual citizenships is to be suspended again.
Over 1200 Sri Lankans living abroad were awarded dual citizenship by the Immigration Department while 4232 Sri Lankans have so far obtained the citizenship.
According to the Controller General of Immigration over 20,000 applications have been received by the department. This is in comparison to the 30,000 applications received during the 24 year period dual citizenship was awarded, before its suspension in 2011.
The Government Information Department quoted the minister as saying that another batch of over 1000 applicants will be awarded dual citizenship by April. "The delay in application processing is due to the complicated process followed in evaluating all applications and due to sheer volume of applications received,"
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First Bishop of the Batticaloa Diocese, Retired Bishop Joseph Ponnaiya, passed away today at the age of 74, following a brief illness.
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