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4. Application for Certificate of Citizenship

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Official English translation. Where it differs from the Sinhala or Tamil text, the Act itself says which text prevails.

3.

Effect of obtaining the Status of citizen of Sri Lanka

Every person, who becomes entitled to the status of citizen of Sri Lanka, shall, on obtaining the status of a citizen of Sri Lanka—

be entitled to all the rights and privileges of a citizen of Sri Lanka, as recognized by law;

be subject to the provisions of law for the time being in force, relating to deprivation, loss and renunciation of citizenship, in like manner and to the same extent as would be applicable to any citizen of Sri Lanka; and be deemed from and after the coming into operation of this Act, to have renounced all rights to the civil and political status which such person may be entitled to, or would have been entitled to, under any law in force in the country of origin of such person or such person’s parent, ancestor or husband, as the case may be, but for the promulgation of this

Act;

in all matters relating to, or connected with, status, personal rights, duties and holding of property in

Sti Lanka, be subject to the relevant laws of

Sri Lanka.

(1)

Any person who is entitled to apply for the grant of the status of a citizen of Sri Lanka may if he so desires, forward an application to the Controller, substantially in the Form set out in Schedule A to this Act for the issue of a

Certificate of Citizenship. Every application shall be accompanied by the of Declaration made under oath in the

Form set out in the same Schedule.

(2)

On receipt of an application under subsection (1), and where he is satisfied that the applicant is eligible to so apply in terms of section 2, the Controller shall forthwith transmit such application to the Minster for approval.

Grant of Citizenship to Persons of Chinese

(3)

The Minister may on consideration of the facts of each case, either—

(a)

approve and allow such application for the grant of the status of a citizen of Sri Lanka to the applicant; or

(b)

refuse to allow the application transmitted to him under subsection (2) where he is of the opinion that it is not in the national interest to grant the status of citizen of Sri Lanka to the applicant.

(4)

Where the application referred to in subsection (2)

has been approved by the Minister, the Controller shall take such steps as may be necessary in terms of the provisions of this Act, to grant the status of citizen of Sri Lanka to a person of Chinese Origin and proceed to issue to such person a

Certificate of Citizenship substantially in the Form set out in the Schedule B to this Act.

(5)

Where the Minister has refused an application under subsection (3) of this section such decision shall be final and conclusive and shall not be questioned in any Court of law, and it shall be the duty of the Controller to notify the applicant of such refusal.

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