“A major step toward enfranchising Sri Lanka’s overseas population was taken with the submission of a report outlining legal and operational mechanisms to enable more than 1.5 million citizens abroad to vote in domestic elections.”

“The proposals, handed over to the Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Minister, set out a framework covering voter registration, campaigning, voting methods and result management, with authorities signalling plans to take the recommendations to Cabinet and advance implementation following broader consultations.”

“The Committee Chairman and Additional Elections Commissioner Attorney-at-Law L.A.P.K. Kulatunga, noted that in preparing this report, individuals were categorised into four groups: migrant workers, students, dual citizens, and those abroad for other purposes.”

“He further mentioned that the process is proposed to be implemented across four main areas: 1. Voter registration: Mechanisms for the formal registration of migrant workers, students, and dual citizens. 1. Election campaigning: Conducting campaign activities for voters abroad and the impact of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act. 2. Casting votes: The possibility of voting through embassies, by post, or using secure online methods. 3. Vote counting and release of results.”

“This committee was appointed in December 2025 following a Cabinet decision to implement this historic step, which has been under discussion for years.”

“A key highlight is that the report was compiled within a short period of three months, ahead of the expected deadline, after consulting all relevant stakeholders.”

“While discussions on this matter have persisted since the 1990s, this is the first time a formal program and a systematic report have been presented to grant voting rights to Sri Lankans abroad.”

“The discussion also highlighted the need to consider introducing Advanced Voting or Mobile Voting systems for essential service personnel such as doctors and customs officers, as well as for fishermen, prisoners, and the bedridden within the country.”