Imposing restrictions on the public right for marriage is ridiculous

Abhorrent-that decision should be strongly condemned

Such laws exist only in dictatorial countries

Disgraceful to the image of the country -foolish move

(Sujith Mangala De Silva)

President of the National Movement for a Just Society, Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya issuing a special statement stressed that the decision taken by the Government to impose a new law restricting the right of the public to get married to a foreigner only after obtaining prior permission from the Ministry of Defense is ridicules and abhorrent.

The statement issued by President of the National Movement for a Just Society, Deshabandu Karu Jayasuriya strongly criticizing this decision taken by the government further states.

The circular issued by the Registrar General stating that a Sri Lankan citizen must obtain a ‘Security Clearance Report’ from the Ministry of Defence if he/she wishes to marry a foreigner in Sri Lanka can be considered as an ill advised attempt by the government to restrict the freedom of the country's citizens. It is also highly damaging to Sri Lanka's image.

A truly civilised state will never attempt to curb personal freedoms of the citizen. Public administration should be based on a scientific philosophy. It is not a process that imposes rules and regulations on the regular activities of households.

This new restriction on the freedom of marriage in Sri Lanka lays the groundwork for treating a one group of Sri Lankan citizens in a discriminatory manner. In fact, it can also be seen as a step towards discrimination against those who are standing for individual freedoms. Therefore this move blatantly violates the fundamental rights of the country’s people enshrined in the Constitution. Similar restrictions can only be found in dictatorial regimes and such measures can never be expected from a civilised state. Accordingly, this new restriction imposed by the Government is deeply objectionable. 

This decision is being made by a regime that used its power to the fullest to even amend the country's constitution to allow foreign nationals to join the country’s governance and is therefore highly unethical.

The National Movement for Social Justice strongly condemns the decision taken by the Government to impose such restrictions. We must instead protect civil liberties while respecting the country's democracy. We also urge those responsible to not allow for Sri Lanka to be ridiculed by the outside world.