NICs: Dual citizens in dilemma

Until recently dual citizens could apply for a passport with all the necessary documentation and the original National Identity Card (NIC). However, now there is a requirement for dual citizens to get a new NIC before applying for a Sri Lanka passport. They say the old NIC is no longer valid. If there is a requirement to get a new NIC after obtaining Dual Citizenship, there should be a proper procedure to obtain a NIC for Dual Citizens. No such procedure exists today.

Dual citizenship is obtained following a proper application process and screening procedure followed by the payment of a fee. They are therefore eligible to receive a Sri Lankan passport. Most of the dual citizens are professionals working in other countries, some of them have served the government of Sri Lanka holding high positions, now residing in countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK and many other countries.

How can they follow the normal procedure to obtain a NIC as applied to Sri Lankans residents? In the normal procedure the application has to go through the Grama Niladhari and/or Divisional Secretariat of the area of your residence. Most of them do not have a residence in Sri Lanka, some of them have sold their properties long time ago. When they visit Sri Lanka most of them reside in hotels or with their friends and relatives. Therefore, there is no proper and legal procedure for them to apply through a Grama Niladhari or a Divisional Secretariat.

Thus, it is very clear that the procedure applicable to residents of Sri Lanka cannot be applied to dual citizens resident abroad. As such, it is more logical that a special procedure should be applicable for them to obtain a new NIC. There should be a procedure to obtain NIC’s directly from the Department of Registration of Persons by on line application and submission of necessary documents or certified copies.

There are large number of Dual Citizens of Sri Lanka residing in the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK affected by this new rule. While new Dual Citizens are unable to get their first passport, some others who got dual citizenship some years ago are unable to renew their passports because of this new unfair rule.

Attention of high officials of the government, more particularly the attention of the Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons is needed to resolve this issue expeditiously.

A Concerned Dual Citizen from the USA