Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2015-03-12

Proposed Administrative Procedure for granting Dual Citizenship

- The proposal made by Hon. John Amaratunga, Minister of Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs, to grant dual citizenship under a new Administrative Procedure, was approved by the Cabinet. Accordingly, individuals who satisfy at least one of the following qualifications are eligible to apply for dual citizenship:

* who possesses professional or educational qualifications;

* who owns immovable property worth of Rs.2.5 million or above;

* who has a fixed deposit of Rs.2.5 million or above for a period of three (03) years in any Bank approved by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL);

* who has fixed deposit of US$25,000 or above in NRFC/RFC/SFIDA accounts for a period of three (03) years in a Commercial Bank approved by the CBSL;

* who has invested US$25,000 or above for three (03) years in a Treasury Bond or a Security Investment Account; and

* on attaining the age of 55 years.

Further, the spouse or unmarried children under the age of 22 years of the applicant are also eligible.