Immigration / Emigration  and Citizenship of Sri Lanka

Parliament promulgated the Immigrants and Emigrants Act No. 20 of 1948. In this Act provision was made for the control of entry of non-Sri Lankans, to regulate the exit of non-Sri Lankans, and for the removal of non-Sri Lankan.

A national policy regarding emigration was introduced by the above Act which is still in force with subsequent amendments. The Act provided for the establishment of the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka 1n 1949

Following acts were passed during the British Colony
Passport Ordinance
Destitute Immigrants Ordinance of 1907

Indians and Pakistanis Citizenship Act 3 was passed in 1949.

Citizenship Act No. 18 of 1948   amended by Act.No 45 of 1987 . With the Citizenship (Amendment ) act , granting of dual Citizenship was commenced . These amendments t recognizes  the right of a mother who is a Sri Lankan citizen to pass citizenship to her children irrespective of the nationality of the father. Until then, only a father could pass Sri Lankan citizenship to his children.

According to the ACt, children born even before the passing of the legislation but after November 15, 1948 will have the right to Sri lanka citizenship even if only the mother is a Sri Lankan citizen.

Children over 22 years of age who have assumed citizenship of another country can be recognized as citizens upon application to the Ministry of Interior. Such person will have the option of assuming dual citizenship or may renounce citizenship or may renounce citizenship of the other country and assume Sri Lankan citizenship

Chapter v - of the Constitution of Sri Lanka further recognizes the Citizenship of Sri Lanka.

CITIZENSHIP BY DESCENT

Citizenship Act No: 18 of 1948 by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act No: 16 of 2003 [ More.. ]

DUAL CITIZENSHIP

Dual Citizenship Citizenship Act No: 18 of 1948 by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act No: 45 of 1987[section 19(2) and Section 19(3) ] for the resumption/retention of Dual Citizenship of Sri Lanka by ex-Sri Lankans / Sri Lankans qualified for grant of foreign Citizenship. A. Following persons are eligible to make application [ More.. ]

LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP

Loss of Citizenship A If a citizen of Sri Lanka of full age and of sound mind makes a declaration of renunciation of citizenship of Sri Lanka in the prescribed manner and once the Minister causes the declaration to be registered , and, upon registration thereof, the declarant shall cease to be a citizen of Sri Lanka [ subject to exceptions] .[ More.. ]

VISA

Five types of Visas areissued by the prescribed authorities [ More.. ]