Lankans told obtain Security Clearance Report over foreign spouses

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Registrar General's Department says that any Sri Lankan who seeks to marry a foreigner will have to wait for a ‘Security Clearance Report’ from the Defence Ministry.

In a circular, the Registrar General's Department said the foreign spouse should obtain a certificate from the security authorities of that relevant country.

The certificate will indicate that the person has not been convicted for any offence during the last six months.

It should be submitted to the Civil Registration Unit of the Registrar General's Department through the local party or through an agent of the local party.

This would then be sent to the Defence Ministry to obtain a security clearance report.

Based on the clearance report, the Registrar General will issue a licence to the local party to hand it over to the additional district registrar.

The registration of the marriage will be conducted after that.

Under the new law, the Additional District Registrar should receive the following documents to register a marriage between a foreigner and a Sri Lankan.

1. Valid Passport and a copy of the passport with a valid visa

2.  Original certificate confirming the civil status issued by the foreign country

3.  Original licence issued by the Registrar General

4.  Self-prepared health declaration of the foreign spouse

5.  Birth Certificate and its copy

Registrar General W.M.M.B. Weerasekara had said the new regulations have been drafted following instructions from the Defence Ministry as a measure to ensure national security.

He had further said that these measures are implemented to ensure that locals don't marry foreigners who are involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.