Sri Lanka: Update to Response to Information Request LKA20930.E of 8 August 1995 on whether dual citizenship is permitted by the government of Sri Lanka, on whether a spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen is entitled to Sri Lankan citizenship, and if so, what are the conditions that must be met
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 September 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LKA21792.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Sri Lanka: Update to Response to Information Request LKA20930.E of 8 August 1995 on whether dual citizenship is permitted by the government of Sri Lanka, on whether a spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen is entitled to Sri Lankan citizenship, and if so, what are the conditions that must be met, 1 September 1995, LKA21792.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab1c48.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In a 23 August 1995 letter sent to the DIRB, the International Services Group (ISG) at Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) indicated that "under Sri Lankan law, a Sri Lankan citizen who acquires another nationality is by that action deemed to have abandoned Sri Lankan citizenship." The same source stated that "however it is possible to subsequently apply for dual citizenship by petition to the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. A grant of dual citizenship is made at the discretion of the Controller of Immigration, subject to the applicant meeting several criteria" (ibid).
About the requirements for obtaining Sri Lankan citizenship for non-Sri Lankan spouses of Sri Lankan citizens, the ISG indicated that "non-Sri Lankan spouses of Sri Lankan citizens are not entitled to Sri Lankan citizenship" (23 Aug. 1995). According to the ISG, "a female spouse of a Sri Lankan citizen is entitled to resident status in Sri Lanka, but the male spouse of a citizen may be eligible for a residence permit only at the discretion of the Controller of Immigration and upon the satisfaction of several criteria" (ibid.). For more information, please refer to the attachment.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), International Services Group (ISG), Hull. 23 August 1995. Letter sent to the DIRB.
Attachment
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), International Services Group (ISG), Hull. 23 August 1995. Letter sent to the DIRB.