Last year, Sri Lankans participated in both Presidential and Parliamentary elections. In 2025, the country is likely to face two more elections: Local Government and Provincial Government elections. However, a significant portion of the Sri Lankan population residing overseas—working hard to provide food and better living conditions for their families and loved ones back home—continues to be denied their voting rights. Does anyone care about them? This is a million-dollar question that the new government and relevant authorities must answer.
Attempts at Reform
Efforts to grant voting rights to expatriates have been made through various committees, rights groups, NGOs, and political activism. The author has previously written on this subject in Sri Lanka Guardian (see this article). However, without amendments to the election law, the Election Commission remains unable to make further progress.
The Election Commission deserves credit for reminding the then-incumbent president about this matter during a press conference following the conclusion of the Presidential Elections (see this video, 2:07:00 to 2:09:00). An acknowledgment from Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), marked by his signature smile, serves as a stark reminder of why such reforms are urgently needed before any future elections are scheduled.
JVP/NPP and Expatriates
Minister Sunil Handunnetti, during a visit to Saudi Arabia in 2017, told Arab News that expatriates should be granted voting rights. On another occasion, he urged the then-government to introduce a pension plan and voting rights for all Sri Lankan foreign workers. He also spearheaded a campaign to collect signatures from expatriates in Middle Eastern countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, which were submitted as petitions.
The JVP/NPP traditionally enjoys strong support among expatriates. Many expatriates have financially supported the NPP’s election campaigns, and some have even traveled to Sri Lanka specifically to cast their votes. However, despite their perceived support for expatriates, the NPP has failed to introduce any significant legal reforms or consultations to address the voting and other rights of this demographic. This silence is hypocritical and mirrors the lethargy of previous governments.
Election and Constitutional Reform
The new government has reportedly undertaken a major project to draft a new constitution, which includes removing the executive presidency. This is a welcome step. However, the author proposes that voting rights for expatriates be enshrined as a fundamental right. Additionally, the necessary legal frameworks and amendments to facilitate expatriate voting must be enacted without delay.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Indian Assistance
India, the world’s largest democracy, successfully employs EVMs for its elections. Implementing EVMs in Sri Lanka should be a straightforward task. Given the strong ties between the Sri Lankan and Indian governments, seeking India’s technical and financial assistance to deploy EVMs would not be out of place. Sri Lankan IT experts could ensure the integrity and transparency of the system, making expatriate voting even more feasible.
Passport Renewal Challenges
Due to a passport shortage, Sri Lanka now requires online appointments for renewals. However, the system mandates submission of an electronic photo through authorized studios, which are unavailable outside Sri Lanka. This creates a significant obstacle for expatriates who need urgent or one-day passport services. While embassy applications are an alternative, they are time-consuming and cumbersome. Expats facing delays in renewing their passports risk losing employment or missing critical travel opportunities.
Driving License Conversion
The Motor Traffic Department previously allowed the conversion of overseas driving licenses to Sri Lankan licenses, but this practice has reportedly ceased. Obtaining an overseas license often involves substantial costs, sometimes running into thousands of dollars. It is unfair to deny expatriates the ability to convert their licenses upon returning to Sri Lanka. The new government and traffic authorities should revisit and restore this service.
Access and Cost of Higher Education
Expats appreciate the University Grants Commission (UGC) for allocating a quota for overseas-educated children to enter universities under a self-paying scheme. However, the costs are prohibitive for many middle-income expatriates. For instance, an MBBS degree costs $12,500 per year for five years—a substantial financial burden. With increasing redundancies and job losses among expatriates, many families find it challenging to sustain such payments. The UGC and the government should consider case-by-case fee relaxations for deserving families.
Looking Ahead
The challenges highlighted above are largely the result of inaction by previous governments. However, this cannot excuse further delays in addressing these pressing issues. The author remains optimistic that the new government will take swift action to resolve these challenges, meeting the high expectations of both the expatriate and general Sri Lankan population.
