Sri Lankan Cabinet Approves Proposal to Remove Indelible Ink Requirement at Elections

24-Jun-2026

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal submitted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to remove all legal provisions requiring the use of indelible ink to mark voters during elections.

Since 2004, voters have been required to present valid identification and have their fingers marked with indelible ink. The Government noted that both measures serve the same purpose of preventing multiple voting. It observed that maintaining both procedures simultaneously creates operational inefficiencies and additional costs.

Accordingly, legislative amendments will be introduced to remove the relevant provisions from the country’s principal election laws.