Minister Nalinda Jayatissa today dismissed reports alleging that Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma was a dual citizen.
Recent reports had raised questions over whether Suriyapperuma held both Sri Lankan and Australian citizenship, and whether he had formally renounced his Australian citizenship at the time he took oath as a Member of Parliament in Sri Lanka, or had only submitted an application for renunciation.
Responding to questions from journalists, Cabinet Spokesperson Jayatissa said Suriyapperuma was not a dual citizen while serving as an MP, Deputy Minister, or Finance Ministry Secretary.
“If he was a dual citizen during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, when he was a Deputy Minister, or as the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, legal action could be taken against him. He is not a dual citizen. I state with responsibility that he was not a dual citizen when he held these roles,” Jayatissa said.
Under Sri Lanka’s 21st Amendment to the Constitution, passed in October 2022, dual citizens are disqualified from becoming Members of Parliament. The provision bars dual citizens from contesting elections, sitting, or voting in Parliament. (Newswire)
