COLOMBO (News 1st):- Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Presidential Candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna today (August 23) said he had legally renounced his US citizenship.

He says that there is a rumour that is being spread citing that he has not renounced his US citizenship, however, he clarifies that he was granted withdrawal by the US Embassy on April 17th this year. With a certificate in hand, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the certificate was handed over to him by the embassy and that it was produced to the Immigration and Emigration department in order to cancel his passport that stated he was a dual citizen of both Sri Lanka and America.

He claims that after it was removed that it now only reads that he is a citizen of Sri Lanka. Gotabaya Rajapaksa adds that this matter has been solved legally and that there could not be any other issues being raised regarding his citizenship.

Meanwhile, UPFA MP Kumara Welgama speaking on a government led by Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that as he always mentioned that he is not ready to work in fear and that he does not prefer a dictatorial rule. He further said that Gotabaya’s citizenship of this country is questionable and said that he is aware that Gotabaya is still not a sole Sri Lanka citizen although he handed over his passport. Welgama says that the US clearance certificate on the matter is yet to be sent and that this is a matter that cannot be done in secret and added that however, this is still a matter that is pending.

MP Welgama made those comments after attending an event organized by the Purawesi Balaya Organization this evening (August 23). Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, and Tissa Attanayake were among those present. Representatives from civil organizations were present at the event as well. The Purawesi Balaya Agenda for the 2019 Presidential Election and the Journey ahead for Good Governance was also presented today.

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