| Citizenship Act | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Parliament of Ceylon | |
| Citation | No. 18 of 1948 |
| Territorial extent | Sri Lanka |
| Enacted by | 1st Parliament of Ceylon |
| Commenced | 15 November 1948 |
| Status: Amended | |
Sri Lankan nationality law details the conditions in which a person is anational ofSri Lanka. The primary law governing nationality regulations is theCeylon Citizenship Act, whichcame into force on 15 November 1948. The original Ceylon Citizenship Act of 1948 has been largely superseded by subsequent citizenship legislation in Sri Lanka, including the Sri Lankan Citizenship Act of 1980, which updated and expanded the legal framework for citizenship.[1]
Any person born in Sri Lanka to a Sri Lankan parent is automatically a citizen by descent. Individuals born outside the country to a Sri Lankan parent are subject to an additional registration requirement at aSri Lankan diplomatic mission. Foreign nationals who have Sri Lankan ancestry or are married to a Sri Lankan spouse may acquire citizenship by registration. Any other foreigner who holds a residence visa valid for at least five years and have been admitted into the Resident Guest Scheme by the government may also acquire citizenship by registration.
Sri Lanka was previously acolony of the British Empire and local residents wereBritish subjects. Although Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948 and Sri Lankans no longer hold British nationality, they continue to have favoured status when residing in theUnited Kingdom; asCommonwealth citizens, Sri Lankans are eligible to vote in UK elections and serve in public office there.
All persons born in Sri Lanka receive citizenship by descent if at least one parent is a citizen. Children born overseas to a Sri Lankan parent may acquire citizenship by descent if they are registered at a Sri Lankan diplomatic mission. Foreign nationals with Sri Lankan ancestry or are married to a Sri Lankan spouse may become citizens by registration. All other foreigners who hold a residence visa valid for at least five years and have been accepted by the government into the Resident Guest Scheme may also acquire citizenship by registration.[2]
Sri Lankan citizenship can be voluntarily relinquished by making a declaration of renunciation. Sri Lankan citizens who become citizens of another country automatically have their citizenship revoked unless they first obtain government permission allowing them to retain Sri Lankan citizenship. Otherwise, former Sri Lankans may subsequently apply for citizenship resumption. Dual citizens are prohibited from standing for office inParliament and are ineligible to becomePresident.[3]
