Will show original document to EC - Gota

Former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa says he is now in possession only of a Sri Lankan passport, which he had obtained after surrendering the passport for dual citizens adding that he would present the original Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States received by him to the Elections Commission as and when required.

Rajapaksa has made this comment in response to the fake document claiming to be his Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States that was circulated in social media yesterday (30).

According to the former Defence Secretary, the document on posted on social media was a fake and that he was in possession of the original copy received by him from the US authorities.

“The document that is being shared is a fake. I have the real copy with me,” he said.

However, Rajapaksa says he would not publicly share the original document as there was no requirement for it.

“I will provide the documents when required to the relevant authorities like the Elections Commission,” he said.

After noting that he is now in possession only of a Sri Lankan passport and not a dual passport, Rajapaksa said, “The Immigration Controller knows that I am now a single passport holder since I have received my new Sri Lankan passport, which I received after surrendering my former dual passport.”