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Voting rights under consideration for migrant workers
View(s):The possibility of enabling more than 1.5 million migrant Sri Lankan workers to vote at elections here is to be examined by a Parliamentary Select Committee. A motion for this purpose signed by 23 MPs was submitted last month and will be approved by Parliament when it meets on Wednesday.
The motion says Sri Lankans employed overseas have been deprived the chance to vote until now even though they make an invaluable contribution for the sustenance of the economy of Sri Lanka at present through the earning of foreign exchange.
It states that creating the necessary background for the migrant workers to engage in their employment with dignity is the responsibility of the Government and hence a Parliamentary Select Committee be appointed to look into the difficulties faced by Sri Lankans employed overseas and the possibility of providing them the opportunity to exercise their franchise in elections and report to Parliament on the same with observations and recommendations.
All parties have agreed to pass the motion without debate on Wednesday.