Diana's citizenship matter is to be heard in January

December 12, 2022

The Court of Appeal set the date for hearing a writ petition filed seeking an order declaring State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage ineligible to be a Member of Parliament because she is a British citizen.

The Court of Appeal's two-judge bench, comprised of Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola, fixed the petition for hearing at the top of the list on January 26.

Social activist Oshala Herath filed this petition, seeking an order in the nature of a Writ of Quo Warranto declaring that Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament and is thus not entitled to hold office as an MP.

Counsel Hafeel Farisz, appearing for the petitioner, submitted to the court that one of the clients of the Attorney General, the Commissioner General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration, has specifically said that Gamage is not a Sri Lankan citizen.

Presidents Counsel Farman Cassim, representing Ranjith Madduma Bandara of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, stated that Diana Gamage continues to hold office as a minister despite the fact that she is a fraud.

In this case, the petitioner claimed that State Minister Diana Gamage is a British citizen, and only a British citizen can hold a British passport. The petitioner maintained that by virtue of becoming a citizen of another country, Parliamentarian Diana Gamage ceased to be a Sri Lankan citizen. The petitioner said Diana Gamage has not obtained dual citizenship or any other form of citizenship in Sri Lanka.

The petitioner further said Diana Gamage is disqualified from election as an MP or from sitting and voting in Parliament under and in terms of Article 91 read with Article 89 and Article 90 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.