Questions raised over finance secretary's dual citizenship status

A five-point open questionnaire was presented by the 'Dinana Dakuna' collective to clear doubts emerging in society regarding whether Finance Ministry Secretary Doctor Harshana Suriyapperuma holds dual citizenship. The collective emphasised in a letter dated yesterday (04) that this is not merely a political allegation but a question concerning the country's fundamental law and the transparency of a public official.

The 'Dinana Dakuna' collective pointed out legal obstacles for dual citizens under Article 91(1)(d)(xiii) of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, stating that a serious allegation of misconduct might exist against the Finance Secretary. The letter further noted that providing evidence-based answers to these questions remains the responsibility of the Secretary to confirm the transparent governance promised to the country by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The questions contained in the letter, signed by leadership board members Lawyer Shiral Lakthilaka, Nadeesha de Silva, President’s Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, and media spokesperson Thushara Weeraratne on behalf of the 'Dinana Dakuna' collective, appear as follows:

What is the specific date you obtained Australian citizenship?

Renunciation of citizenship: If you renounced said citizenship, what is the specific date it occurred?

What is the date you re-obtained Sri Lankan citizenship after renouncing Australian citizenship?

Had you officially renounced Australian citizenship when you were sworn in as a Member of Parliament, or had you only submitted an application for it?

Is the information circulating in society under number C19090060828 dated 2010-02-03 a valid number related to your Australian citizenship, or is it circulating to mislead society?

The 'Dinana Dakuna' collective further requested the Finance Secretary to promptly disclose the relevant documents and evidence regarding this questionnaire to the country.