Sri Lanka: Petition on Gotabaya’s citizenship to be taken up by court

In Sri Lanka, the court of appeal has decided to take up a petition on Wednesday against Presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the issue of his citizenship.

Earlier, two civil society activists had lodged the petition seeking the court to deliver an order suspending the issuance of a passport and national identity card (NIC) to Rajapaksa, who is the brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

They have also sought an interim order preventing the functioning of said passport and NIC until the court delivers the petition’s verdict.

The petitioners alleged that Rajapaksa has obtained a passport and NIC claiming that he revoked his US citizenship.

The petitioners further stated that they have the necessary information to prove the former Defence Secretary did not submit proper documentation to verify revocation of his US citizenship when obtaining a Sri Lankan passport and a NIC.

The opposition side led by Mahinda Rajapksa had rejected the allegations saying the charges have been framed as Gotabaya opponents fear his popularity.

Gotabaya has renounced his US citizenship few months back to contest the Presidential elections scheduled for November 16.

The nominations are to be filed next week and the court proceedings on Wednesday will be watched keenly.