From the 1st of next month, it is required to submit a security clearance report to the Registrar General’s Department stating that a foreign national is not guilty of an offense obtained by the security forces of that country in the marriage between a foreign national and a Sri Lankan.
The circular was issued by the Registrar General’s Department on October 18.
Registrar General MB Weerasekera said the new circular was issued taking into account the potential impact of national security on the registration of marriages between foreign nationals and Sri Lankans and the potential social issues.
The Registrar General has stated that the relevant circular will be issued in accordance with the discussions held between the Ministry of Defense and the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Accordingly, the original copy of the clearance certificate stating that the foreign national is not guilty of an offense obtained from the security authorities of that country should be submitted to the Civil Registration Division of the Registrar General’s Department by the local party or an agent of the local party.
After verifying the security clearance report, the Registrar General will issue a permit to register the marriage.
Only the Additional District Registrars have been notified by the relevant circular of registration for such marriages and copies of the permit issued by the Registrar General will be forwarded to the local party or the agent of the local party for submission to the Additional District Registrar.
Copies of this permit will also be sent to the relevant Divisional Secretary / Land Registrar’s Office.
The English and Sinhala versions of the relevant circular are attached herewith. A search by the newswave.lk website confirmed that Sri Lankans must obtain security clearances from the Ministry of Defense when marrying foreigners.