"I didn't tell Mr. Ali Sabri that Gotabhaya's citizenship papers were correct" -- Maco

"I didn't tell Mr. Ali Sabri that Gotabhaya's citizenship papers were correct" -- Maco

With regard to presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's issue citizenship and dual citizenship which topic created an uproar during the recent past, what attorney at law Ali Sabri said was that he has settled all issues concerning it was settled with chairman of election commissioner and since he was not able show the relevant papers from person to person and have them confirmed, he has shown
them to the commissioner and had them confirmed who is the individual required for that purpose. 

Whatever it is, Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya of election commission explained at a media briefing held yesterday (13) saying that this information is far from the truth and that he had no authority where his duties are concerned or any necessity for such a purpose. The following is what he said:

"Mr. Ali Sabri spoke to me and asked me whether he could meet me and he came and met me in the final week in the month of August on a Monday. Professor Hoole and I met him. We spoke   about a lot of things ... about matters related to nominations, voting rules etcetera. When talking about agreeability and disagreeability and all those things, Mr. Sabri showed us a certificate saying that dual citizenship has been squashed. I took it into my hands and then gave it over to Sir. We turned the document both sides and handed it back after looking at it for say 30 seconds .... and Sir may have looked at it for a minute. Professor is a dual citizen no ... he of course understands no. 

However none of us said at that point whether it is valid, accepted, authentic or otherwise because it was not a duty belonging to us. Our opinion was 'we are not interested'; we carry out our duties only according to the Act. What we do is, reject a nomination only something relevant to orders outlined in the Act. Dual citizenship is a disqualification for the presidential contest. But we have no powers to those sending applications to us on those grounds and reject it as such. That is why it was accepted. If it is against the law ... those who stand for such an opposition can talk it out with courts and have the privilege of battling it out. That is our way of handling matters. 

I am sorry that Mr. Sabri has dragged our names in Mr. Gotabhaya's citizenship issue and making a statement that we accepted it. Since it was not relevant to us ... do not link us with it. Understand that we are not the relevant party to resolve it. We have not given an endorsement to anybody. 

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These are the questions posed to Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya and replies given:

"Aren't documents mentioned in Mr. Ali Sabri's facebook to confirm Gotabhaya's citizenship and documents appearing elsewhere ... two sets?"

"We have no necessity to delve into it".

"It is mentioned in the relevant audio recording that your name has been referred to by Mr. Ali Sabri and that approval was granted. Did those reach the media with your approval?"

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