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The Sri Lankan government has taken initial steps to secure voting rights of Sri Lankan citizens abroad, marking a historic reform in the nation’s democratic process. On Monday, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the appointment of a special committee tasked with studying the necessary legal changes to make this right a reality.

The committee will consist of officials from the Election Commission and representatives from several ministries. Their primary responsibility will be to analyze existing laws and draft new legislation that would ensure Sri Lankan citizens residing overseas can exercise their constitutional right to vote. Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa made the announcement during the weekly Cabinet press briefing held on the 16th.

Minister Jayatissa emphasized that, under Article 3 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, sovereignty rests with the people and is exercised through elections, as outlined in Article 4. Currently, voting rights are limited only to Sri Lankan citizens who live within the country and are registered in the electoral register. As of now, no framework exists to facilitate voting for citizens abroad.

He further noted that many Asian countries, including India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, already allow their overseas citizens to participate in elections through established legal systems. This international precedent highlights the urgency for Sri Lanka to adopt similar reforms.

Granting voting rights to the Sri Lankan diaspora, which numbers in the millions, could significantly strengthen democratic representation and give citizens abroad a voice in shaping the country’s future. The proposed legal reforms are expected to improve inclusivity, promote national unity, and modernize Sri Lanka’s electoral system to be more aligned with global democratic standards.

This move is regarded as a timely and necessary step toward strengthening democracy and ensuring that every Sri Lankan citizen, regardless of where they live, has the right to vote.