Diana Gamage’s citizenship issue to be heard on January 26 by Court of Appeal

• The petitioner further said Diana Gamage is disqualified from election as a MP or to sit and vote in Parliament

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda 

A writ petition filed seeking an order declaring State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament since she is a British citizen was yesterday fixed for hearing by Court of Appeal. Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola fixed the petition for hearing on top of the list on January 26.  

Social activist Oshala Herath filed this petition seeking an order in the nature of a Writ of Quo Warranto declaring that Diana Gamage is disqualified to be a Member of Parliament and is thus not entitled to hold office as a MP.Counsel Hafeel Farisz appearing for the petitioner submitted to Court that one of the Attorney General’s clients, the Commissioner General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration has specifically said that Gamage is not a Sri Lankan citizen.President’s Counsel Farman Cassim appearing for Ranjith Madduma Bandara of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya said that Diana Gamage continues to hold office as a Minister despite it being fraudulent. In this case, the petitioner claimed that State Minister Diana Gamage is a British citizen and only a British citizen can hold a British Passport. The petitioner maintained that by virtue of becoming a citizen of another country, Parliamentarian Diana Gamage ceased to be a Sri Lankan citizen. The petitioner said Diana Gamage has not obtained dual citizenship or any other form of citizenship in Sri Lanka.The petitioner further said Diana Gamage is disqualified from election as a MP or to sit and vote in Parliament under and in terms of Article 91 read with Article 89 and Article 90 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka.