ECSL to probe Rajitha’s remarks on SL expat voters

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has decided to investigate a recent statement made by MP Rajitha Senaratne regarding Sri Lankan expatriates planning to return to the country to vote in the upcoming election on 21 September. 

This investigation follows a complaint filed by the National People’s Power (NPP) party against Senaratne, who is supporting independent candidate President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The ECSL said its Elections Complaint Investigation Unit will examine the complaint.

ECSL Chairperson R.M.L. Ratnayake has said no one will be permitted to make statements that could influence voters or disrupt the election process. He said if a complaint is received regarding any attempt to sway voters or interfere with the election process verbally, the investigation team will thoroughly examine it. Given the potential impact of the recent statement, it will also be reviewed and looked into, he said. 

NPP Executive Council member Sunil Handunentti recently accused Senaratne of making a statement aimed at discouraging expatriate workers from returning to Sri Lanka to cast their votes in the Presidential election scheduled for 21 September.

He emphasised that a significant number of expatriate workers are eligible to vote in the upcoming election, and issuing such intimidating statements poses a serious threat to the conduct of a free and fair election. During a recent press conference, Senaratne commented that in the previous election, people chose a President based primarily on national security concerns, which led to negative consequences for the entire country.

He noted that as the upcoming election approaches, some Sri Lankans living abroad may consider returning to cast their votes. However, he suggested that if these expatriates plan to support NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake they should reconsider coming back to vote, and if they do, they should stay rather than return to their overseas residences.