The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to formulate laws enabling Sri Lankans living overseas to cast their votes in national elections.

Under Article 3 of the Constitution, sovereignty lies with the people, and their right to exercise it is primarily through elections, as stipulated in the Fourth Chapter of the Constitution. At present, only citizens residing in Sri Lanka and registered in the electoral register are entitled to vote, as per existing election laws.

However, there is currently no legal provision for citizens living abroad to exercise their franchise. Recognising the growing need to protect the voting rights of overseas Sri Lankans, the Cabinet granted approval for steps to be taken to address this gap.

Accordingly, the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has been authorised to appoint a committee comprising representatives from the Elections Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Employment and Tourism, and other relevant ministries and institutions.

The committee will study the necessary legal amendments and propose new legislation to enable Sri Lankans abroad to participate in the electoral process — a move already adopted by several other Asian nations, including India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.