EC Chairman denies allegations

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya has denied accusations that controversial SJB National List lawmaker Diana Gamage is a dual citizen, and therefore not eligible to be a member of parliament.

Responding to a spate of allegations, the EC Chairman has said that both the Registrar of Persons and the Immigration and Emigration Department confirmed she was born at Kalubowila in 1965 and carried a Sri Lankan passport and not registered as a dual citizen.

In terms of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution enacted in early 2015, dual citizens are not eligible to contest either parliamentary or presidential elections.

Defeated UNP Colombo District candidate at the recently concluded general election Oshala Herath yesterday told The Island that the public really appreciated the EC Chairman responding to him personally after he raised the issue on the social media.

Herath alleged that lawmaker Diana Gamage at the time she took oaths as an MP held British citizenship. One-time aide to President Maithripala Sirisena acknowledged she may have not probably sought dual citizenship and, therefore, was a British citizen in Sri Lanka Parliament.

Herath said that he had received an assurance from Deshapriya a copy of Diana Gamage’s National identity Card handed over to the EC along with the Samagi Jana Balavegaya’s National List proved she was a Sri Lanka. Herath however said that UK trade information provider ‘Companies House’ recognised the new MP as a British national.

Responding to criticism against him on social media, Deshapriya emphasised that it wouldn’t be fair to criticise him as he wasn’t the EC. Deshapriya suggested whatever inquiries and complaints should be directed to the EC.

The EC comprises three members. In addition to Deshapriya, Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole and Nalin Abeysekera PC constitute the EC.

Diana Gamage was among eight Opposition MPs who voted for the 20th Amendment to the Constitution last Thursday (22) in violation of a decision taken by the SJB to oppose the Bill. She also voted for the clause that permitted dual citizens to enter Parliament.

Diana Gamage held the post of Secretary of Ape Jathika Peramuna, a political party recognised by the Election department/Election Commission before dissident UNP group led by Sajith Premadasa took over that party in the run-up to last the parliamentary election. Premadasa re-registered Ape Jathika Peramuna as the Samagi Jana Balavegaya under controversial circumstances, according to a complaint lodged by Herath with the CIABOC (Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption).

In terms of the agreement between the two parties to the agreement, Diana Gamage received one of the seven National List slots secured by the SJB.

In the previous parliament, Galle District MP Geetha Kumarasinghe lost her seat following the Supreme Court ruling that she had been a dual citizen of Sri Lanka and Switzerland at the time of her election.

Herath said that he would complain to police headquarters later this week about the dual citizenship issue.

SLPP MPs including Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila are on record as having said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured them the prohibition on dual citizens will be re-imposed when his government brings in a new Constitution.