COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan government issued a circular last week, announcing an end to the restrictive practice of preventing the issuance of passports to Sri Lankan citizens residing abroad, who were compelled to leave Sri Lanka due to political persecution.
In the statement, the Foriegn Ministry said the previous government issued instruction to all Sri Lankan Missions abroad in March 2011, to refrain from issuing passports to those who sought asylum due to political persecution. "This circular constituted a serious violation of our citizen's rights under the Constitution and under the many human rights conventions to which Sri Lanka has become a party over the years. It has also caused immense hardship and difficulties to many Sri Lankans, who were forced to leave the country as a result of their struggle against authoritarian rule," it read.
Saying that the new administration has renewed its commitment to upholding citizens' rights and the rule of law, the statement further read, "Freedom of movement and impartial treatment of our citizens, irrespective of their political beliefs, will be secured for all our citizens. Furthermore, as a result of the good governance and reconciliation efforts of the current government, many Sri Lankans living abroad have expressed an interest in visiting and investing in Sri Lanka. Therefore, the Government has directed the Controller-General, Department of Immigration and Emigration, to issue a circular ending this draconian practice and restore the procedure followed since Independence of enabling every Sri Lankan citizen living abroad to obtain a passport."
