Suggestion for Sri Lankan expatriates to vote at elections

Milinda Moragoda, Minister of Justice as President, Sri Lana National Congress is of the view that all Sri Lankan nationals living and working abroad should be afforded an opportunity to vote at elections.

He indicated that there are well over a million Sri Lankans living overseas and they should also be given the opportunity to vote at elections. He said that this would be a means of testing as to how Sri Lankans overseas feel and what they think about the political environment back at home.

He said that they should not forget the contribution made by the Sri Lankan workers world over towards the economy of the country. They earn the much needed foreign exchange for the up keep of the country, hence they should be made part and parcel of the election process.

Moragoda said that through this process the Sri Lankan Diaspora overseas could also be made to understand the priorities of their country and thereby bring them closer home.

The Minster drew parallels with the Indian proposal where the Indian Prime Minister recently emphasized the need to allow Indian expatriates to cast their vote at the next General Elections.

The Sri Lanka National Congress is to initiate a petition and consultation process through the internet by persons living abroad who support this proposal. This petition will electronically seek to collect the signatures living abroad and will be presented to the authorities concerned in the coming month.

- Asian Tribune -