Diana Gamage’s citizenship issue to be heard on November 28 by Court of Appeal

• Petitioner claims that State Minister Diana Gamage is a British citizen
• The petitioner also said Diana has not obtained dual citizenship or any other form of citizenship in Sri Lanka

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 support by the Court of Appeal.  Two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola fixed the petition for support on November 28.  

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 an MP.  
When the matter was taken up yesterday morning, Counsel Hafeel Farisz appearing for the petitioner submitted to court that there is an urgency for the matter to be heard as much as possible since the petitioner has sought directions from several state entities.  

The matter was fixed for November 28 to be heard in the presence of all other parties.  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 an 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.