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 President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to vacate his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo this morning, a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) source said.
The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed by a majority of 150 in parliament today. However the opposition MP’s were absent during the voting.
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