Former Chairman of the National Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya, has highlighted the need for new laws to grant voting rights to expatriate workers, facilitate voting for local workers, and prevent the appointment of unqualified public representatives.

Addressing the media, Deshapriya said a government‑appointed committee has submitted a report on enabling voting for Sri Lankan expatriates and migrant workers.

He revealed that during multiple discussions with the Election Commission, it was noted that the proposal is effective in principle but impractical in implementation due to several challenges.

The former Chairman stressed that other, more urgent legal reforms are required. He underscored the need for legislation to allow local workers, who are unable to cast their ballots on election day, to vote from their place of employment.

“There must be a system where local workers can cast their ballots either the day before or on election day, from their workplace instead of travelling to their hometown. During the war, displaced persons were permitted to vote from wherever they resided, rather than returning to the North. A similar law could be introduced for workers unable to travel home due to job commitments,” he explained.

Deshapriya further emphasized the importance of preventing unqualified individuals from entering public office, urging the government to take immediate legislative action.

“Immediate action is required. These are the issues that must be addressed now,” he added. (Newswire)

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The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the 2026 financial year was passed in Parliament today with a majority of 118 votes. 

A total of 160 MPs voted in favour of the Budget 2026, while 42 MPs voted against it, and 08 MPs abstained from voting. 

Opposition MPs Mano Ganesan, Palani Digambaram, Jeevan Thondaman and P. Radhakrishnan voted in favour of the budget 2026. (Newswire)

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The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) will abstain from voting on the second reading of the Budget 2026, Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam informed Parliament today.

Addressing the Parliament, MP Shanakiyan said that the ITAK had decided a week ago to vote against the Budget 2026, as the government had failed to heed issues regarding the Tamil community.

MP Shanakiyan said, however, the President had agreed to a meeting with the ITAK next week to discuss the party’s concerns.

Stating that it is only a year since the government came into power, the MP said they have a few more years to discuss and resolve the issues. 

“We still have hope in the President. We will not vote for or against the government today, only because, as a measure of goodwill, trusting the President and putting our faith in the President, that the President will resolve our issues, will listen to us, and that he will look after the Tamil peoples’ political issues. Also that the President will bring in a new constitution that will include the Tamil peoples’ aspirations. At least in the coming few months, the President will listen to the victim community on the accountability issues and will act on the land issues. This is only because we want to engage as a goodwill gesture,” he added. 

MP Shanakiyan said that the ITAK’s abstention from voting today is a serious message to the world that the party was still trying to work with the government and wants to work with them. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a committee to study particulars relevant to amending and formulating laws to enable Sri Lankans living overseas to vote in elections. 

As per the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the right to vote is reserved only for citizens living within Sri Lanka and who have registered their names in the electoral register as per the elections law. 

According to the current election law, there is no provision to secure any method to allow citizens living overseas to vote, nor has a law been formulated in this regard. 

Many Asian countries, such as India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, have formulated legal strategies to enable their citizens overseas to cast votes, and it has been recognized as a timely requirement to amend such laws for Sri Lanka as well. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved taking actions by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments to appoint a committee to study particulars relevant to amending laws and formulation of new laws to safeguard voting rights of citizens overseas. 

The committee will comprise officials in the Elections Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments, as well as other Ministries and institutions. (Newswire)

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Voting for the 2025 Local Government Elections has concluded, the National Election Commission announced. 

Voting commenced at 07.00 am with the public casting their ballots at 13,759 polling stations.

The election will see representatives being elected for 339 Local Government institutions. 

It is reported that voter turnout seems to be less than that recorded during the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in 2024. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that it has introduced a substantial reduction in the total number of voting members from 147 to 60. 

Issuing a statement, the SLC said the new voting structure ensures that voting rights are determined solely based on the level of cricket played by each member club, with all qualified clubs and associations being entitled to only one vote. 

This marks a pivotal step towards equitable representation and streamlined decision-making.

The SLC further said that the decision was taken by its membership at an extraordinary general meeting held on 20th December 2024.

At the meeting, significant amendments to the Constitution of the SLC were approved, reaffirming its commitment to fostering good governance, transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in its management structure. 

Further, to strengthen the transparency in financial management, the membership unanimously approved the establishment of the Audit Committee, Investment and Budget Committee, and Related Party Transactions Committee. 

This landmark initiative is expected to create a more level playing field for cricketing stakeholders, ensuring that representation within SLC reflects merit and contribution to the development of cricket across the nation. 

The SLC believes these constitutional amendments will foster a culture of professionalism, transparency, and meritocracy, paving the way for the holistic growth of cricket in Sri Lanka.

In addition to the above changes, the Election Committee for SLC for the year 2025, headed by retired Court of Appeal Judge Malanie Gunaratne and four other members, was also appointed during the Extraordinary General Meeting. The election committee will oversee the preparations and conduct the SLC’s upcoming elections, scheduled to take place in 2025. (Newswire)

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04.08 pm –

Voting for the 2024 General Election has officially concluded. 

Voting got underway at 13,421 polling centres across the country from 07.00 am to 04.00 pm today

The 2024 General Election was held to elect Members of Parliament for the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka.

Through this election, a total of 225 Members of Parliament will be elected, comprising 196 members elected by public vote and 29 members entering through the National List.

The inaugural session of the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka is scheduled to commence at 10.00 am on 21 November 2024. 

03.36 pm –

The Election Commission has requested all print, broadcasting, and digital media, as well as social media users, to refrain from issuing unofficial election results before the official announcements are made by the commission.

03.07 pm –

According to Returning Officers, the voter turnout as of 02.00 pm is as follows;

Gampaha – 52%

Kalutara – 45%

Nuwara Eliya – 55% 

Trincomalee – 51%

Jaffna – 42%

Kegalle – 50%

Ratnapura – 55%

Badulla – 51%

Hambantota – 47%

Matara – 47%

Monaragala – 46%

Kilinochchi – 47%

Mannar – 55%

Batticaloa – 47%

Kurunegala -52%

Digamadulla – 40%

Kandy – 47%

Matale – 55%

Polonnaruwa -51%

Puttalam – 41%

Galle – 49% 

01.02 pm-

A Police officer and two civil officials who were deployed on election duty have been reported dead due to sudden illnesses, Sri Lanka Police said. 

Addressing a special media briefing today, Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that the officers had fallen ill while on election duty at various areas this morning and they are reported to have died due to natural causes, such as a heart attack. 

A 33-year-old Police Officer deployed at a school in the Urumpirai area in Kopai has died and it is suspected he may have died due to a heart attack.

A 48-year-old woman who had been appointed as the Polling Station Chief of the Siri Sadhaham Bhikshu Aramaye in the Kesbewa area had also died after suddenly falling ill while on duty.

A 57-year-old man attached to the polling centre staff of the Kobeigane area had also died after suddenly falling ill while on election duty, DIG Thalduwa said.

10.57 am –

Voting is underway for the 2024 Parliamentary Election at 13,421 polling centres across the country.

According to Returning Officers, the voter turnout as of 10.00 am is as follows;

Colombo – 20%

Kandy – 25%

Nuwara Eliya – 20%

Puttalam – 22%

Kalutara – 20%

Batticaloa – 15%

Digamadulla – 18%

Badulla – 21%

Kegalle – 20%:

Ratnapura – 23%

Polonnaruwa – 22%

Kurunegala – 22%

Matara – 10%

Jaffna – 16%

Trincomalee – 23%:

Vanni – 24.5%

Anuradhapura – 25%

Monaragala – 23%

Matale – 24%

Gampaha – 20%

Galle -19%

07.00 am –

Voting for the 2024 General Election commenced at 07.00 am today. 

Polling will occur in 13,421 voting centres across the country until 04.00 pm today. 

Voters are advised to carry their National Identity Cards (NIC) issued by the Department for Registration of Persons to be eligible to cast their vote.

Those without a NIC can use a valid passport, a valid driving license, the pensioners Identity Card issued by the Department of Pensions, the Elders’ Identity Card issued by the Divisional Secretariat, the Bikkhu or Priest Identity Card issued by the Department of Registration of Persons, a letter issued by the Department of Registration of Persons confirming the particular of the National Identity Card, temporary Identity Card issued by the Election Commission, or temporary Identity Card issued to disabled persons by the Election Commission. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has issued guidelines for voters to follow in the upcoming Parliamentary Election. 

According to the Election Commission, ballot papers for the Polonnaruwa, Monaragala, and Kalutara constituencies will be in a single column, while the ballot papers for other constituencies will be printed in two columns. 

The specimen ballot paper for each constituency will be printed on the list of candidates distributed to each household with the official poll card.

Voters have been advised to use only the cross mark ( ‘X’ ) for voting and marking preferences. 

Voters are to follow the below voting guidelines;

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Voting in Sri Lanka’s Presidential Election concluded at 04.00 pm today. 

According to the National Election Commission, the first result of the election, which is the postal votes, is expected to be released before midnight today.

The Election Commission further said that it hopes to complete announcing the election results by tomorrow (Sep 22), even if it enters counting preferential votes. 

“Postal vote counting will begin around 4.30 to 5.00 PM, and we expect to release the first postal results before midnight today,” Election Commission officials said. (Newswire)

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The National Election Commission has refuted reports claiming that registered voters can cast their vote in the upcoming Presidential Election at any polling station in the country.

Issuing a statement, the Election Commission said it has not taken any such decision and that the reports circulating on social media are false and misleading.

The Election Commission further informed that voters can only cast their ballots at the polling stations in their divisional areas registered in the electoral register. (Newswire)

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The Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations has held a discussion about preparing a system for Sri Lankans living overseas to vote.

According to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, the matter was taken into discussion at the Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations which met in Parliament yesterday (08) under the chairmanship of MP Namal Rajapaksa.

Officials from the National Election Commission pointed out that the Election Commission is ready to prepare the necessary mechanism according to the new recommendation given by the legislature. 

They also pointed out that a method of registering to vote via online (online registration) technology has also been prepared, and Sri Lankans living abroad can also register to vote through it. 

Accordingly, MP Namal Rajapaksa pointed out that he will take the necessary steps to prepare a system for this in consultation with the Speaker of the Parliament.

Meanwhile, a discussion was also held on the need to prepare a special visa category for SAARC countries including India, Bangladesh and the Maldives.

During the discussion on Sri Lanka’s foreign policy on behalf of the SAARC countries, MP Namal Rajapaksa pointed out that it is important to prepare a special visa category for the SAARC countries like India, Bangladesh and Maldives in the fields of education and health. As a result, he said that the Committee would propose to prepare a system of granting visas for these countries in a considerate manner.

The Committee also proposed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to focus on preparing a system for starting internships for various programs under the Ministry. The Committee pointed out that this program should be organized so that all sectors are represented and foreigners should also be able to join.

The officials present said that an internal training program is being implemented under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as per a circular. However, MP Namal Rajapaksa pointed out that this program should be prepared as an open program in a more formal manner.

It was also discussed that several awareness and training programs should be organized under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Members of Parliament.

MPs (Prof.) G. L. Peiris, Niroshan Perera, S.M.M Muszhaaraff, Akila Ellawala, Kokila Gunawardena, Yadamini Gunawardena, Madhura Withanage, and Chandima Weerakkody were present at the Committee meeting. (NewsWire) 

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The National People’s Power (NPP) / Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) are running neck-and-neck in the General Election voting intentions amongst likely voters, the Sri Lanka Opinion Tracker Survey (SLOTS) polling from January 2023 shows. 

According to the latest survey by the Institute for Health Policy (IHP), General Election voting intentions amongst likely voters are at 32% and 31% each respectively, following a surge by the NPP/JVP during December and January. 

Both are ahead of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and Sri Lanka Freedom party (SLFP), but the difference between them is within the margin of error.

IHP MRP analysis of likely voters indicates that since July 2022 when President Ranil Wickremesinghe took office, the SJB has gained a net three points, the NPP/JVP one point, and the UNP five points. 

The survey stated that these gains have been largely at the expense of the SLPP whose support fell 11 points.

Assuming general election voting intent transfers to voting in local authority elections due in March, the SLOTS January polling suggests that on current trends the SJB and the NPP/JVP between them will win the plurality in most local authorities and wards. 

However, most local authorities are likely to end up with divided control, with no party winning an absolute majority. The SJB and ITAK will lead the NPP/JVP in the Northern and Eastern provinces, but the NPP/JVP will likely lead the SJB in the Western, Southern, North-Central, and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, and will do better in rural areas, whilst the SJB will do better in urban and municipal councils.

Dr Rannan-Eliya, lead investigator and Executive Director of IHP, commented that “This will be a huge change from the 2018 local elections. The main drivers are a collapse in the SLPP vote, and the NPP/JVP doing better than the SJB in winning defecting SLPP voters and in retaining their original 2020 General Election vote.”

The NPP/JVP has a clearer lead over the SJB amongst registered voters, but SJB supporters are more likely to vote, reducing the margin between them in likely voters by 2%.

Full report : http://ihp.lk/publications/docs/SLOTSReport202303.pdf (NewsWire)

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