The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has called on the Election Commission (EC) to secure the voting rights of some 8000 Bhikkhunis (female monks), deprived of voting at the presidential election.
In a letter to EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, the HRCSL noted that these female monks have been deprived of voting, as the Department for Registration of Persons has not issued National Identity Cards identifying them as 'Bhikkhunis'.
The HRCSL further stated that the Buddhasasana Ministry too has not registered them under the category of 'Bhikkhunis'.
Accordingly, the human rights body called on the EC to issue an Identity Card for these female monks to protect their right to vote at the presidential election on November 16.
Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickramasinghe, arrested on allegation of corruption by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been remanded until July 1 by the Colombo Magistrate court.
Leave Comments