Hon. Arun Hemachandra, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Trincomalee

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment

Profession: ---

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Speeches 75 #66 of 225·#29 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

75 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra defended the use of emergency provisions following Cyclone “Ditva” and amid Middle East tensions, arguing that they were needed for coordination and national risk management rather than repression. He said the Government respects the right to protest but would lawfully counter attempts to destabilize governance, and cited the conviction of former MP Sarana Gunawardena as evidence of institutional independence. He also stated that Easter Sunday attack investigations were progressing without political interference, addressed the arrest of a Kilinochchi youth as being under legal review, and urged the public not to be drawn into efforts by racist or corrupt groups to undermine the Government. Debate on Public Security Ordinance: Extension of State of Emergency Justice & Human RightsLaw & OrderCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, on behalf of the relevant Minister, requested two weeks to respond to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions 1-10 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
21 May 2026 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled a written answer detailing SLBFE data on migrant worker complaints from 2015 to 2026, including 75,062 complaints and 36,059 repatriations, with country-wise and issue-wise annexures. He outlined SLBFE mechanisms under its governing Acts, including welfare sections in overseas missions, safe houses, conciliation services, legal assistance, repatriation support, insurance reimbursements, emergency coordination, and hospital or detention-related assistance. He also stated that funeral assistance for families of workers who die abroad has been increased from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 100,000 from 2026, with related disbursement data tabled. Oral Question: Sri Lankan Workers Abroad - Complaints EmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said the Ministry is pursuing diplomatic channels after reports that Sri Lankan national Sameera Mahboobdeen was detained following Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, with the Embassy in Tel Aviv seeking consular access to confirm her condition, welfare, and legal status. He stated that the Government supports the Inland Revenue amendments as necessary reforms. He also said the Government had inherited a fragile economy but, through fiscal discipline and management, was working to maintain energy security, avoid shortages, stabilize production, and respond to external shocks. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
8 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government accepts the essence of Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s motion and is working to strengthen existing foreign employment mechanisms while correcting institutional gaps. He stated that a new Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Act is being prepared with the Legal Draftsman, and that the combined Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment portfolios have enabled stronger consular support for registered and unregistered migrant workers. He outlined measures including a special police unit at the SLBFE, a complaint call centre with serial numbering, proposed agency regulation, and cooperation with the ILO on a mobile app and the IOM on biometrics. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees EmploymentLaw & OrderForeign Affairs Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister tabled a written answer on behalf of the Minister detailing Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment registrations of housemaids from 2015 to March 2026, totaling 767,809, with country-wise data and death statistics provided in annexes. The response stated that worker information is entered into the SLBFE computerized system at registration and listed deaths by year and cause categories for 2015–2026. It also outlined SLBFE welfare measures, including free and optional enhanced insurance, scholarships and school supplies for children, concessionary loans, welfare fund assistance, entrepreneurship grants, emergency and housing support, a contributory pension scheme, and increased death and funeral benefits. Second Round of Oral Questions (Q.10 and Tabled Answers) Public FinanceForeign AffairsEmployment Read →
7 May 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister presented two public petitions to Parliament: one from Mrs. H.A.P. Dinusha Sumali Dharmasena of Dhanyagama, China Bay, and another from Mrs. S. Siwaneswari of Inner Harbour Road, Trincomalee. No further details on the subject matter of the petitions were provided. Petitions Parliamentary Procedure Read →
6 May 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra rejected claims that the Government had supported the Neelagama incident and accused the Opposition of misinformation, before addressing the Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill. He said the Bill modernizes Sri Lanka’s insolvency framework, drawing on older domestic laws and international models, to help viable businesses, especially MSMEs, restructure after shocks rather than face liquidation. Citing crises such as the war, Easter attacks, Covid-19, debt distress and supply chain disruptions, he argued the legislation would protect jobs, preserve asset value and prevent unnecessary business closures, and urged Members to support it. Debate: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Insolvency (Corporate and Personal) Bill - Second Reading Public FinanceEmploymentInfrastructure Read →
8 April 2026 AI summary Arun Hemachandra outlined Government relief measures following the “Ditva” cyclone, tabling official payment records and citing progress on grants for damaged homes, schoolchildren, temporary housing, livelihood losses, deaths, and full or partial housing damage. He rejected Opposition criticism as inaccurate and said compensation and recovery programmes were continuing despite subsequent Middle East tensions. He also welcomed the announced temporary ceasefire in the Middle East and expressed hope it would lead to lasting peace, while noting the President’s new relief package for SMEs, farmers, fishers, and low-income Aswesuma recipients. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
20 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s foreign policy should prioritize strategic neutrality, sovereignty, and protection of citizens amid global uncertainty, particularly the Middle East conflict’s effects on energy, shipping, tourism, aviation, and overseas workers. He stated that the Government had restored stability after bankruptcy by improving public finances, reserves, inflation, essential supplies, and services, while also managing Cyclone “Ditwah” relief. He said Sri Lankan missions were assisting nationals abroad and called for restraint, respect for international law, freedom of navigation, maritime security, and peaceful resolution of conflicts. He urged political actors to act responsibly and said Sri Lanka should use its ports, airports, maritime position, and national assets to strengthen tourism, logistics, aviation, shipping, and energy security. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Foreign AffairsSecurity & DefencePublic Finance Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra supported the Regulations under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, describing them as technical adjustments, including changes to permitted building heights, needed to make the project viable. He said past large-scale projects had suffered from poor planning, corruption, and inadequate returns, and argued that the current Government has a responsibility to correct deficiencies rather than abandon such projects. He highlighted efforts to create an investor-friendly “Single Window” system covering institutions such as the BOI and Port City Commission, and said allegations of corruption or underperformance in projects such as the Norochcholai coal plant would be handled through institutional mechanisms including COPE. Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act Regulations Approval Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformForeign Affairs Read →
6 March 2026 AI summary Arun Hemachandra supported the Resolution under the Public Security Ordinance to extend the Emergency, arguing that it provides a framework for preparedness, coordination, public order, essential services and stability rather than restricting democratic freedoms. He linked the need for vigilance to escalating Middle East tensions affecting Indian Ocean trade routes, energy supplies, shipping costs and supply chains, and called for de-escalation, respect for international law, UNCLOS, freedom of navigation and safe sea lanes. He also cited the response to Cyclone “Ditwah” as an example of the need for coordinated civil, security and international assistance during crises. Debate: Resolution on Public Security Ordinance - Extension of State of Emergency Security & DefencePublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary Arun Hemachandra stated that good governance could help Sri Lanka rapidly progress toward becoming a developed, livable, and prosperous country. He said the Government would follow its own policy and roadmap rather than accept the Opposition’s narratives. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
3 March 2026 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Foreign Exchange Act regulation reflected improved external-sector stability after recent foreign exchange shortages, arguing that public confidence and financial discipline had prevented attempted artificial shortages from escalating. He rejected claims that the President had described Sri Lanka as a “failed state,” saying the criticism was directed at past administrations’ failure to develop infrastructure after Independence. He also briefed Parliament on measures taken amid Middle East tensions, including consular notices, a hotline, an operations centre, mobilization of missions, assistance to two injured Sri Lankans, and contingency discussions with the IOM while prioritizing de-escalation and the safety of Sri Lankans abroad. Debate: Regulation under Foreign Exchange Act, No. 12 of 2017 Corruption & Governance ReformForeign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
3 February 2026 AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra supported regulations on telecommunications infrastructure sharing, arguing that shared towers, fibre networks and related facilities would reduce duplication, costs, foreign exchange outflows and urban planning conflicts while improving rural and disaster-related connectivity. He cited international examples from the EU, UK, India and China and stated that the reforms would not undermine competition but strengthen sector efficiency and service access. He also said the Government would continue anti-corruption investigations impartially despite political opposition, and responded to Hon. Nizam Kariapper on the Akkaraipattu Nurachcholai housing issue, noting that delays stemmed from a Supreme Court order and that a fair allocation process would be pursued with relevant agencies. Debate: Regulations under the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act (continued) Corruption & Governance ReformInfrastructure Read →
24 November 2025 AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said land issues in Trincomalee stem from forest and related gazettements dating from around 1970, including later “proposed forest” classifications, and affect all 11 Divisional Secretariat divisions in the district. He stated that, following a 2024 committee report, Cabinet Paper No. 25/1560/826/020 of 25 August 2025 appointed a multi-agency sub-committee covering relevant departments, district officials, provincial land authorities and other land-related institutions to propose a permanent solution within six months. He added that no new lands had been taken under the current administration and that land releases from forest and wildlife holdings had begun in areas including Trincomalee, Kuchchaveli and Muttur. Adjournment Motion: Land Issues in Verugal DS Division, Trincomalee Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & Housing Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government is improving foreign relations and reviving stalled partnerships while pursuing more transparent administration in foreign affairs and foreign employment. He reported record worker remittances, Sri Lanka’s recognition as a GCM Champion, efforts to increase the proportion of trained migrant workers, and reforms to address flawed previous agreements, including those relating to Israel. He outlined measures against foreign employment fraud, including a special police unit, an audit into SLBFE air ticketing irregularities, obtaining an IATA licence for direct ticket issuance, and work on pensions and migrant voting rights. He also noted budget savings, upgrades to consular facilities and mission transport, and the appointment of labour attachés based on service needs rather than political considerations. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Foreign AffairsEmploymentCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Arun Hemachandra tabled a response on airline ticket procurement for migrant workers, stating that after 09 October 2024 quotations were widened beyond Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency-registered suppliers to include Civil Aviation Authority-registered suppliers, resulting in lower ticket prices. The response said workers had previously been charged a fixed Rs. 295,000, but actual ticket costs between November 2024 and March 2025 were lower in many cases, leading to Rs. 7.72 million in refunds so far with Rs. 10.48 million still pending. It also provided a sector-wise count of 27,651 Sri Lankan workers in Israel as of 27 October 2025, and noted that CIABOC and the Bureau’s Internal Audit Division are investigating whether fraud occurred, with further action to depend on their findings. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Corruption & Governance ReformForeign Affairs Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, a request was made for two weeks’ time to provide an answer to the question. The question was ordered to stand down. Oral Questions: Q.1-Q.5 (Questions stood down) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
11 November 2025 AI summary Arun Hemachandra raised concerns about the quality of certain translations, stating that they contain serious shortcomings such as missing or inadequate footnotes and references. He indicated that these deficiencies affect the accuracy and reliability of the translated material and require attention. Debate: Second Reading of 2026 Budget Bill (Day 3, Afternoon/Evening) Parliamentary Procedure Read →