Hon. Vijitha Herath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Gampaha

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

Profession: Politician

Roster profile ↗

Speeches 86 #59 of 225·#26 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

86 speeches

9 June 2026 AI summary Vijitha Herath said previous governments had not established an effective mechanism to capture and tax international platform-based transactions, including during the tenure of the former Finance Minister. He stated that the current Budget introduces tax and collection mechanisms, supported by legal and technological measures, to bring tourism-related inflows into the domestic system and reduce revenue leakages. Ministerial Statements Public Finance Read →
9 June 2026 AI summary The Minister said tourist arrivals had reached historic highs in late 2025 and early 2026, while per capita spending estimates had declined in US dollar terms partly due to changes in survey methodology, market composition, exchange rates, inflation and length of stay patterns. He explained that SLTDA tourism earnings estimates are not directly comparable with additions to official reserves because of offshore card settlements, informal transactions, unregistered providers and funds retained outside formal banking channels. He outlined measures to improve data and reduce leakages, including monthly TSA-based analysis, registration and capacity-building for informal operators, stronger enforcement, a new National Tourism Policy and Tourism Act, and work on digital payment and regulatory systems to route more tourism receipts through domestic channels. Ministerial Statements Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary As Tourism Minister, Hon. Vijitha Herath provided data on Sri Lanka’s accommodation sector and tourism investment in response to a parliamentary question, stating that as of March 2026 there were 8,322 accommodation units with 58,411 rooms, while regional occupancy data was unavailable. He listed the main source markets, including India, the UK, Russia, Germany and China, and identified additional countries targeted for tourism promotion. He said 29 tourism projects worth USD 41.723 million were approved in 2024 and 42 projects worth USD 196.18 million in 2025, and that a diversification strategy is being implemented through market promotion and new products such as cruise, wellness, Buddhist and wedding tourism. He further stated that 126 approved projects are expected to add 3,413 rooms with an estimated investment of USD 339.287 million across provinces, with completion timelines dependent on project scale and permit extensions. Oral Question: Tourism - Room Capacity and Occupancy Rates (Q.?) InfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
20 May 2026 AI summary Asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to provide data on Sri Lanka’s current hotel room capacity, regional occupancy rates, and the main source countries driving tourist arrivals, including the shares from India, Russia and the UK. He also sought details on targeted new tourism markets, approved tourism investments in 2024-2025, market diversification strategy, planned hotel room additions, their locations and timelines, and estimated investment values. Oral Question: Tourism - Room Capacity and Occupancy Rates (Q.?) Foreign Affairs Read →
19 May 2026 AI summary The Minister provided statistical responses on tourism arrivals, earnings, source markets, emerging markets, average expenditure, length of stay and promotional spending, with annexes and performance tables placed in the Library. He stated that the top source markets have remained largely unchanged since 2022, while markets such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and several European countries show notable growth. He outlined short-, medium- and long-term tourism development plans, including Treasury-funded provincial projects for 2026, a 2027-2029 project pipeline, centralized e-ticketing, Beira Lake development, and preparation of a 2026-2030 sector strategic action plan with World Bank support. Written Answers to Questions EnvironmentInfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
5 May 2026 AI summary As of March 2026, 8,322 tourism service providers were registered with the SLTDA, while around 30,000 are estimated to be operating unregistered, though no comprehensive assessment has been conducted. The Minister stated that current law does not give SLTDA officers or the Tourist Police powers such as search, arrest, detention, or spot fines, and that inspections since September 2025 found 63 unregistered institutions, with legal action being prepared against some based on Attorney-General’s advice. He reported rising National Tourism Development Levy revenue from 2022 to 2025, 5,435 licensed tourist guides as at 31 March 2026, and said a new amended tourism law is being prepared to address shortcomings in the Tourism Act, No. 38 of 2005. Closing: Written Answers and Hansard Publication Information Foreign Affairs Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath rejected claims that an attack was linked to Sri Lanka denying permission for a visit, stating the timelines did not support that allegation and that Sri Lanka had complied with international maritime law. He said the Government was maintaining a non-aligned foreign policy, engaging Middle Eastern countries and others diplomatically, and had opposed what it viewed as an unbalanced UN Security Council resolution while calling for all sides to halt the war. He added that rescued Iranian sailors would be cared for and repatriated under international law, and that Sri Lanka was pursuing balanced relations, including with the U.S., China, Russia and India, to secure assistance on fuel and other needs. He acknowledged impacts on tourism, remittances, outbound workers, hotels and exporters, and said the Government was preparing relief measures in response to the oil and war-related crisis. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis Security & DefenceForeign Affairs Read →
19 March 2026 AI summary Vijitha Herath said the Government had restored economic stability through debt restructuring, growth in tourism, remittances and exports, but that recovery was disrupted by Cyclone “Ditha” and a subsequent global war affecting energy supplies. He argued that Sri Lanka’s vulnerability reflects past failures to build fuel storage capacity, and cited the trilateral Sri Lanka-India-UAE arrangement to refurbish Trincomalee oil tanks and develop pipeline-based supply as a long-term response. He stated that Sri Lanka does not import oil through the Strait of Hormuz, sourcing instead from countries such as India, Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore, while warning that global disruptions still affect the country. He also rejected remarks by Hon. Rauff Hakeem regarding an Iranian ship, saying the vessels were part of a naval fleet exercise in Visakhapatnam involving Sri Lanka, Iran and other participants. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic and Security Crisis InfrastructurePublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already issued an official statement and that he would visit the relevant Embassy to sign the condolence book and convey condolences. He emphasized that the actions taken were in line with the country’s obligations, not personal preferences. Procedural: Points of Order on Iran Supreme Leader Assassination Foreign Affairs Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Vijitha Herath responded to the Leader of the Opposition by saying the Government is prepared for any adverse situation while seeking to manage it positively. He urged that the matter not be escalated unnecessarily and said it should be faced collectively as a national situation. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Foreign Affairs Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath requested the Speaker to allow another member to complete his remarks. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Parliamentary Procedure Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that Sri Lanka has crude oil stocks sufficient until August, so any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is not expected to cause an immediate major impact. He said the Government is prepared with contingency plans in case global production or transport is affected, while continuing to monitor the situation. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Public FinanceSecurity & Defence Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that European tourist arrivals have continued, attributing this to measures taken to ensure safety and maintain confidence. He said the Government is providing humanitarian assistance where necessary, has implemented immediate required actions, and will take further steps if needed. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
4 March 2026 AI summary The Minister said Sri Lanka is urging restraint and a negotiated de-escalation of Middle East hostilities, while engaging regional leaders and foreign ministers to support peace efforts. He reported that Sri Lanka responded to the sinking of the Iranian naval vessel “IRIS Dena” outside Sri Lankan waters under its obligations under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, rescuing injured personnel and transferring them to Karapitiya Hospital. He outlined contingency measures for about one million Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East, including a 24/7 emergency unit, embassy coordination, hotlines, and engagement with airlines and aviation authorities to maintain or restore flight operations where possible. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Middle East Crisis and Strait of Hormuz Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Vijitha Herath said the emergency declared after the disaster was necessary to coordinate a nationwide response beyond the capacity of the Disaster Management Act, including deployment of security forces, essential services, personnel and machinery across administrative boundaries. He stated that the regulations had not been used to suppress protests, strikes, media or political activity, and said reforms were under way to disaster management structures, the Online Safety law and legislation replacing the PTA. He also said emergency powers helped stabilize tourism and expedite procurement for recovery work, citing record December and January tourist arrivals, a preliminary World Bank estimate of US$4.1 billion in economic impact, and parliamentary approval of supplementary estimates. Debate: Extension of Emergency Regulations (Cyclone Ditwah) Public FinanceInfrastructureSecurity & Defence Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath recalled that, as Cultural and National Heritage Minister in 2005, he opposed a proposed celebration marking 500 years since Portuguese arrival and instead sought reparations for looted artifacts, loss of life and destruction under colonial rule. He stated that this led to agreements for the return of artifacts, including from the Netherlands, and said the Government is continuing diplomatic efforts to secure restitution while safeguarding sovereignty. He added that the Opposition Leader’s proposal aligns with ongoing action and that the Government is prepared to pursue economic reparations where necessary. Ministerial Statement: UK Travel Bans Foreign AffairsReligion & Culture Read →
6 February 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on UK travel bans imposed on Sri Lankans, stating that the measures are unilateral actions under UK domestic law and are not legally binding on Sri Lanka. He said the Government had raised objections diplomatically, including with the British High Commissioner after the UK’s March 2025 sanctions announcement, and argued that such measures complicate domestic reconciliation efforts. He reiterated that allegations concerning past human rights violations should be addressed through strengthened domestic accountability mechanisms, while rejecting international accountability processes and external evidence-gathering mechanisms. Ministerial Statement: UK Travel Bans Justice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The Minister said past foreign employment frauds, including the Rainbow case, involved political patronage and that court action is underway, while six SLBFE officers have been suspended and a special police investigation unit established. He stated that the 1985 Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act is being amended because current penalties and safeguards are inadequate. On overseas employment, he said Sri Lanka is pursuing new agreements, including implementation of an Italy driving licence MoU, and is seeking changes to the Korea MoU so worker listings can be extended and quotas increased, with a ministerial visit planned to press these requests. Ministerial Statement: Foreign Employment Issues Foreign AffairsCorruption & Governance ReformEmployment Read →
7 January 2026 AI summary The Minister responded to the Opposition Leader’s Standing Order 27(2) question on foreign employment opportunities, stating that current bilateral channels are mainly with Korea and Israel, with Korea indicating 6,800 manufacturing jobs for 2025 and Sri Lankan departures under SLBFE registration declining after a 2022 post-COVID peak. He said recruitment under the Korea EPS scheme does not guarantee employment, web-listed candidates remain eligible for only two years under current Korean policy, and reduced quotas are linked to Korean policy and economic factors, overstaying, and worker job-hopping. He outlined ongoing measures, including discussions with HRD Korea to shift eligible services and shipbuilding candidates into manufacturing, a planned high-level mission to Korea to seek increased quotas, job promotion through the Sri Lankan Embassy, and efforts to renew labour recruitment arrangements with Italy. Ministerial Statement: Foreign Employment Issues EmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
6 January 2026 AI summary The Minister tabled an answer stating that there is currently no delay in passport processing for Sri Lankans abroad, with urgent procedures in place and online processing planned in 20 countries during 2026. He said overseas missions provide mobile consular services, guided by Ministry standards, to assist Sri Lankans in remote areas with passports, civil registrations, attestations and related services, with expansion considered where demand is high. He also outlined plans to strengthen legal and consular support through designated liaison points where needed, digitization, increased staffing and training, wider outreach, and closer coordination with host authorities and community organizations. Oral Question: Passport Issuance Delays for Sri Lankans Living Abroad (Q. relating to Hon. Gayan Janaka) Foreign Affairs Read →