By Niranjala Ariyawansha
Front Line Socialist Party (FSP) politburo member Kumar Gunaratnam, who was jailed for violating immigration and emigration laws, after arriving in the country on tourist visa, was released from the Anuradhapura Prison yesterday upon completion of his one-year jail period.
After stepping out of the prison, the FSP politburo member told the media that he had been released lawfully after having served his prison term. Gunaratnam told reporters that he would like to thank all members of his party who continued with their agitation campaigns throughout his prison term in order to add positive value to his prison stint, as well as to those who value true democracy in the country.
“I look at my political right as part of protecting the democratic rights of all citizens of this country and as part of that struggle,” he told reporters.
There were many FSP members and other civil society groups who constantly agitated and demonstrated on his behalf demanding that Gunaratnam be allowed to engage in politics in Sri Lanka.
“I have been provided with a temporary visa by the government to remain here. Beyond that the granting of my legitimate citizenship solely lies with the government. I have no confidence that this government will grant me legitimate citizenship of this country. I have always placed my confidence on the struggles carried out by leftist parties, members of the FSP and civil society groups,” said Gunaratnam replying to a question posed by a reporter.
It was on 31 March 2016 that Kegalle Magistrate Prasanna Alwis imposed a one-year prison sentence on the FSP politburo member for violation of immigration and emigration laws.
Gunaratnam had arrived in Sri Lanka from Australia on 1 January, 2015 just days before the last presidential election. Gunaratnam, who reportedly holds Australian citizenship, had arrived in the country on a 30-day tourist visa which expired on 31 January 2015.
The FSP politburo member’s one-year prison term was to lapse on 9 December. However, prison authorities had decided to release him as part of the programme whereby prisoners are released a few days ahead of the completion of their precise prison terms.
Meanwhile, Minister S.B Nawinna told Parliament last Wednesday, that if the FSP member was to formally submit an application for citizenship here, the government could consider it. He made this comment in the wake of remarks made by the FSP which charged that the government was conspiring to deport Gunaratnam upon him being released from prison.
However, the minister noted that in order to obtain Sri Lankan citizenship, Gunaratnam will have to forgo his citizenship with Australia.
“I have submitted several applications requesting Lankan citizenship. However, officials did not even bother to accept them. Hence, the latest utterance by the government requesting me to submit it officially is laughable. But, there is no question we can submit a fresh application,” he explained. Gunaratnam added that he can only relinquish his Australian citizenship only after having received his legitimate citizenship from Sri Lanka.
“If not I will become a citizen that does not belong to any country,” the FSP member said.
Kumar Gunaratnam, who was an active member of the JVP, left for Australia due to death threats received during the 1988-89 terror period. He is currently an Australian citizen and because of that he has not become eligible to receive his citizenship in Sri Lanka.
He was one of the bright students at the University of Peradeniya in the Engineering Faculty.
Courtesy:Ceylon Today