Gota's citizenship case fixed for 2nd & 3rd

A petition was filed before the Court of Appeal by two civil society activists Gamini Viyangoda and Prof. Chandraguptha Thenuwara requesting not to recognise Rajapaksa as a Sri Lankan citizen due to irregularities in his dual citizenship certificate.

The Bench comprising of Justices Yasantha Kodagoda (President of the Court of Appeal) and Arjuna Obeysekera fixed the matter for support and considering of granting of interim relief.

However, the judges decided the case needs to be taken up by a three judge bench and justice Samayawardhana is expected to be the third judge to the bench when the case is taken up tomorrow (2).

Rajapaksa has been accused of violating the Citizenship Act, the Immigrants and Emigrants Act, and the Elections Act by engaging in political activities back during the 2005 presidential election while holding US citizenship.

Romesh de Silva PC has informed Court that they would raise a preliminary objection on the maintainability of the petition.

Petitioners Viyangoda and Prof. Thenuwara have cited Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Commissioner General of Registration of Persons, Minister of Internal and and Home Affairs, Ministry Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Acting IGP C.D. Wickremarathe, Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne, CID Director G.S. Abeysekera and CID Special Branch OIC Lalith Dissanayake as Respondents.

Counsel Suren Fernando appeared for the petitioners while Romesh de Silva PC with Ali Sabry PC, Sugath Caldera, Ruwantha Cooray and Harith de Mel instructed by Sanath Wijewardane appeared for  Rajapaksa.

Gamini Marapana PC with Navin Marapana PC and Ganesh Dharmawardane appeared for Mahinda Rajapaksa while Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.