Current information on whether dual citizenship is recognized and/or permitted and if so, under what conditions [LKA28781.E]

Information on whether Sri Lanka recognizes and/or permits dual citizenship could not be obtained from the High Commission for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Ottawa.

However, Articles 15(2) ("Persons who are not to be granted citizenship by registration"), 20 ("Restrictions against dual citizenship of persons who are citizens by descent"), and 21 ("Restrictions against dual citizenship of persons who are citizens by registration") of the Citizenship Act of Sri Lanka, which entered into force on 15 November 1948, may be of assistance. These Citizenship Act of Sri Lanka can be accessed at all Documentation Centres via SHARENet/REFWORLD/Legal/REFLEG/Sri Lanka.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Sources Consulted


Sri Lanka. Citizenship Act. Date of entry into force: 15 November 1948. This legislation includes amendments up to and including: 02 April 1993. [NOTE: This is an unofficial consolidation. Last amendment included here is the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, No. 15 of 1993. This amendment was published as a Supplement to Part II of The Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka of 2 April 1993. ] [REFLEG/UNHCR database]

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, REFWORLD (UNHCR database).