No legal barrier for non Sri Lankans to register political parties; Mahinda Deshapriya

9 May 2024 06:40 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

A A A

Colombo, May9 (Daily Mirror) - There is no legal barrier for the non-citizens to register a political party, Former Chairman of Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said yesterday.

“Sri Lankan law only prevents a non-citizen from becoming a Member of Parliament, to contest an election while the law also prohibits a non-citizen to vote in an election,” Deshapriya told Daily Mirror.

Also, he said Former State Minister Diana Gamage has not signed nomination papers of SJB and that she has never been the general secretary of Ape Jathika Peramuna.

“Ape Jathika Peramuna was formed by late MPs Mangala Samaraweera and late Sripathi Sooriarachchi when they broke off the political alliance with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The general secretary of Ape Jathika Peramuna was Ruwan Ferdinandas while Diana Gamage’s husband took over the post later.

Comments - 18

Justice Thursday, 09 May 2024 06:53 AM

So if the law is not specific one could mislead, manipulate, dishonestly get jobs, promote night club business, promote legalizing ganja and also become a parliamentarian. When the law discovers, you never brewed kassipu.

0 0

Rohan Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:07 AM

Does not sound right. If right, it is a serious deficiency in the law.

0 0

Court Jester Thursday, 09 May 2024 10:41 AM

May be retired election commissioner is still trying to get the ambassador post he never got when he retired.

0 0

Cugan Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:07 AM

If bin laden would have been alive could have registered in a party then bring him through the back door as an MP then flash the dollars and luxury cars and yachts for 225 then he will be a PM too What a system

0 0

Spartacus Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:10 AM

My question is, how can she become a Minister and attend parliament being a foreigner? Further, how did the Speaker and all other Parliamentarians allow this to happen day in and day out? You are staying so many irrelevant things to cover actualities that happened.

0 0

I don't steal from oil Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:11 AM

Over to you legal expert, oil minister ...

0 0

Jagath Leanage Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:17 AM

Initially Sajith and his team did a mistake by contesting under SJB which was registered by Diana. Original understanding was to give a bonus seat to her. That is how she became member of parliament but unlawful according to the constitution.

0 0

Sambo Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:42 AM

What is oint in registering a political party where you cannot vote or attend parliament.

0 0

Steve Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:58 AM

He allowed a non-citizen to become a President of this country.

0 0

Seqi Thursday, 09 May 2024 08:11 AM

That's why the Americans Basil and Gotabaya could start what ever they want and, because of Dual citizenship still warm a seat in parliament. Plenty of loopholes for loopy characters in Sri Lanka politics.

0 0

Champika Thursday, 09 May 2024 08:48 AM

So then technically the Chinese communist government official, or a Iranian Islamist government official can register a political party in Sri Lanka, and use well funded 'front men an women' to run it's agenda in Sri Lanka? But a Sri Lankan dual citizen cannot run for public office! It seems nonsense and won't stand up to the smell test I a court of law.

0 0

Farook Thursday, 09 May 2024 08:50 AM

Look who is talking now, when he did not have the guts to thwart Gotha. That would have saved the country from the situation that we are in.

0 0

Jude Thursday, 09 May 2024 09:16 AM

Whatta Joke, foreigners can register political party in SL. This guy is a clown."දෙසඅප්ප්‍රිය"

0 0

Jude Thursday, 09 May 2024 09:17 AM

Hello, how much did SJB pay you!!???

0 0

Don Thursday, 09 May 2024 09:36 AM

This guy is trying to cover his mistakes and his failures to check validly of documentation, candidates and their assets declarations. Without listening to this clown, could someone goes to court and get a determination

0 0

Joshua Thursday, 09 May 2024 10:30 AM

Nutty case

0 0

Sulthan Sugathapala Thursday, 09 May 2024 01:23 PM

What nonsense,! Non Sri Lankans are ruling the country now and offer generous loans to buy the whole country. This Pin-Govt., protectors of parliament joking thugs and thieves (including JVP thugs) accept loans, steal half offering flowers to sugathaloana.

0 0

K. Andersson Thursday, 09 May 2024 07:46 PM

Have you heard of common sense?

0 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.