Category: Breaking News

The Government is exploring mechanisms to enable Sri Lankans living overseas to cast their votes, with initial discussions currently underway among key institutions.

Sources close to the matter said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had initiated a round of stakeholder consultations with line ministries, focusing on a comparative analysis of overseas voting models.

However, it is learnt that large-scale models used in some foreign countries are reportedly not being considered at this stage.

Authorities are also examining which categories of overseas Sri Lankans will be eligible to vote. One proposal under consideration is an in-person voting system conducted through Sri Lankan embassies.

It is learnt that some officials have advocated for a mandatory advance registration system, along with mechanisms to verify citizenship and electoral eligibility prior to voting.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that many Sri Lankans living abroad, particularly those working in the Middle East, had retained their Sri Lankan citizenship and contributed significantly to the national economy.

“They have a right to choose their leaders,” the spokesperson said, adding that internationally, several countries already allowed their citizens to vote from overseas through their embassies.

“In such instances, the Foreign Ministry facilitates the process by providing the necessary support, including arrangements such as security at polling locations,” the spokesperson explained.

The spokesperson confirmed that a committee had been established to study the legal frameworks and assess how such a system could be implemented in Sri Lanka. The committee includes representatives from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Election Commission (EC).

Discussions are currently ongoing, with the process still at a preliminary stage.

Meanwhile, the EC also confirmed that a separate committee tasked with recommending the necessary legal and procedural reforms was continuing its deliberations.

The committee had earlier invited views and suggestions from Sri Lankan citizens living abroad, civil society organisations, and Sri Lankan missions and embassies as part of efforts to establish a mechanism for overseas voting.

EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake told The Sunday Morning that discussions on this matter were currently underway.

The Cabinet had previously appointed the committee to study possible amendments to existing laws, as Sri Lankan citizens residing overseas are currently unable to vote under the country’s electoral framework.

Following its appointment, the committee issued a public notice calling for written submissions from stakeholders, including Sri Lankan missions abroad, civil society organisations, and overseas Sri Lankan citizens, with a view to developing a more democratic, transparent, and efficient system.

Submissions were sought on key areas such as voter registration, election campaigning and advertising, voting procedures, and the counting of votes and declaration of results.

The deadline for submissions closed on 15 February.

Establishing a formal mechanism for overseas Sri Lankans to exercise their voting rights is a pledge in the manifesto of the National People’s Power.

The US special representative for South and Central Asia, and US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, discussions were held on further strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and Sri Lanka, said the President’s Media Division.

The President briefed the delegation on Sri Lanka’s position regarding the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East, as well as the challenges faced by the country in light of these developments, the statement said.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma; Senior Economic Adviser to the President, Duminda Hulangamuwa; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, along with members of Sergio Gor’s delegation.

Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed court on Thursday (20) that former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena has stated that a sum of Rs. 60 million was paid to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on three separate occasions in connection with the controversial Airbus aircraft transaction.

The disclosure was made when the case related to the Airbus deal was taken up before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

According to the Bribery Commission, the claim was revealed through a statement made by Chandrasena, who is a suspect in the case.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the Magistrate ordered that Kapila Chandrasena be further remanded until April 2.

Here’s a background to this story:

On the 12th of March, former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena was arrested upon arriving at the Bribery Commission this morning to provide a statement.

Why was Kapila Chandrasena arrested?

Investigations are underway regarding a corrupt transaction involving the planned purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines during the 2012-2013 period.

The investigation into this transaction is being conducted in coordination with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

During the 2012-2013 period, a proposal was submitted for the removal of 13 aircraft from SriLankan Airlines and replace them with 14 brand-new aircraft.

A contract was signed with the French Airbus company, to purchase 6 A330 aircraft and 4 A350 aircraft among those.

Who uncovered the fraud in this transaction?

Information regarding a serious fraud in this deal was revealed in January 2020.

This came to light following the disclosure of details from an investigation conducted by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) of the United Kingdom.

Investigations revealed that the French Airbus company had promised to pay a bribe of US$ 16.84 million for the deal to purchase the 10 Airbus aircraft.

Was it revealed that bribes were paid?

Yes.

The investigation conducted by the British Serious Fraud Office (SFO) revealed that $2 million of this money had been credited to an account in Brunei belonging to a company owned by the wife of the then CEO of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena.

According to investigative information, the funds received by the Brunei-based company in his wife’s name were transferred by Kapila Chandrasena on several occasions through a Singaporean account to his own account in Australia.

Further investigations have revealed that money from Singapore had also been transferred to two accounts within Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Shamindra Rajapaksa, the son of former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, has been named as the third suspect in this case.

This follows the disclosure that a sum of 160,000 US dollars was credited to a bank account belonging to him in 2013.

Source:Newsfirst.lk

U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, has arrived in Sri Lanka for an official visit, according to the US Embassy in Colombo.

He is visiting Sri Lanka and Maldives from today (19) until March 24. The visit involves high-level engagements aimed at advancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, the statement said.

During his visit to Sri Lanka, Special Envoy Gor will meet with senior leaders to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Sri Lanka relationship and strengthen cooperation across key sectors, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said.

The envoy’s meetings are expected to support U.S. efforts to safeguard vital sea lanes and secure ports, reinforce mutually beneficial trade and commercial ties, and advance a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific for the benefit of people in both Sri Lanka and the United States.

Meanwhile, in Maldives, Special Envoy Gor will meet with senior government officials to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to bilateral relations, advance security cooperation, and explore opportunities to support the Maldives’ critical infrastructure development and economic expansion.

The visit will also commemorate 60 years of diplomatic ties between the United States and the Maldives, the embassy added.

facebook sharing button Share

Russia’s embassy in Colombo has clarified the nature of a recent meeting between Russian ambassador L. Dzhagaryan and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on energy supplies.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the embassy said no financial or logistical matters relating to energy supplies were discussed during the meeting.

However, teh statement added that “the embassy is working on these issues”.

Sri Lanka is currently navigating a tightening fuel supply crisis linked to disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, with president Anura Kumara Dissanayake indicating earlier this week that the government was exploring all diplomatic channels, including engagement with friendly states, to secure alternative energy sources.

British Airways has announced that it will resume flights to Colombo in October.

British Airways said from October 23, 2026, it will fly three times per week from London Gatwick to Colombo.

The route will operate for the winter season only, taking customers directly to Sri Lanka, home to picturesque beaches, scenic wildlife, vibrant culture and rich cuisine.

British Airways said customers have a choice of three cabins – World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class). Return fares start from £620 (including taxes and carrier fees).

British Airways announced a significant planned expansion to its network for winter 2026, with the addition of two new destinations, Melbourne in Australia and Colombo.

In addition, the airline will be adding more flights for winter to Cape Town (South Africa), Haneda (Tokyo), Bridgetown (Barbados), Kingston (Jamaica) and San Jose (Costa Rica). The new schedule reflects a nine per cent growth in British Airways’ long-haul route network, as the airline continues to invest in providing more choice for customers.

The planned new routes and frequency growth for winter 2026 is in addition to short-term capacity increases to destinations to meet customer demand, as a result of the situation in the Middle East.

British Airways added seven extra return services to Bangkok and Singapore in the last week and will continue to review its schedule and add additional flights to destinations as needed.