Govt. considers granting Gunaratnam citizenship

The Government yesterday confirmed the Frontline Socialist Party leader Premakumar Gunaratnam would not be extradited when his prison term comes to an end on 9 December, but may instead be issued citizenship.

“We will consider this if an application is submitted once he completes the prison term. I am ready to act upon receiving his application. His parents are locals and he will not be deported. He could either become a dual citizen or, by giving up Australian citizenship, could become a full-citizen of Sri Lanka,” confirmed Internal Affair Minister S. B. Nawinne at Parliament.

Gunaratnam was born in Sri Lankan and later became an Australian citizen. He arrived in Sri Lanka on 15 January 2015 to engage in politics – a reason which was mentioned in his visa application. Prior to his visa expiring, he was summoned to the Immigration and Emigration Department with plans for deportation. Subsequently, his application to extend his visa was turned down by the Immigration and Emigration Department even though he was one of the candidates in the Elections Commissioner list published in August 2015. 

On 4 November 2015, Gunaratnam was taken into custody for overstaying his visa and was produced before the Kegalle Magistrate.  According to opposition lawmaker Dinesh Gunawardena, the Prime Minister and a team of ministers have met representatives of the Frontline Socialist Party following continuous protests.  “Subsequently the direction of the Attorney General has been sought. In February 2016, the Attorney General issued a letter instructing the Immigration and Emigration Department to issue citizenship to Gunaratnam after his court case concludes. However, the Kegalle Court, in its judgment on 1April, sentenced him for one year. His citizenship application has not yet been considered,” said MP Gunawardena. (AH)