Hon. Vijitha Herath, M.P.

Jathika Jana balawegaya (JJB)· Gampaha

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

Profession: Politician

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Speeches 86 #59 of 225·#26 in party

Attendance 4/8 days present (of recorded)

Speech history

86 speeches

18 December 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that preparatory work has begun on a nation branding initiative to support tourism development. He said stakeholder consultations are under way, substantial funding is being allocated, and the process will proceed in a structured manner. Question by Private Notice: Credit Expansion and Ministerial Statement on Tourism Foreign Affairs Read →
18 December 2025 AI summary Multiple tourism initiatives are being coordinated through the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Tourism Promotion Bureau, overseas missions, and industry stakeholders to accelerate policy implementation, worker onboarding, and promotion. The Minister reported increased Tourism Development Levy revenue in 2025, tourism receipts approaching USD 3 billion, and preparatory work for a unified national tourism brand. He said both budget and high-end travelers contribute to local economic activity, while noting hotel room supply of about 90,000 rooms affects room rates. He also referred to the Presidential Task Force on Tourism Development established by Gazette Extraordinary No. 2450/27 of 20 August 2025, which is coordinating relevant institutions and ministries. Question by Private Notice: Credit Expansion and Ministerial Statement on Tourism InfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
5 December 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath said the Emergency was proclaimed under the Public Security Ordinance of 1959 using the President’s powers in response to the disaster. He noted that the relevant regulations had been presented to Parliament for approval, after which they would have legal effect, and stated that the Opposition had itself requested the declaration. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage: Budget Debate on Disaster Response and Government Allocations Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & Order Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Moved the approval of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment’s Annual Report for 2022, submitted under Section 19 of Act No. 21 of 1985 together with the Auditor General’s observations. He noted that the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations had considered the report on 08.07.2025 and presented its report to Parliament on 06.08.2025; the motion was agreed to. Papers - Annual Reports of Foreign Employment and Judges' Institute Parliamentary Procedure Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath responded to issues raised during the debate, stating that passports are issued abroad only to legally resident applicants and that foreign employment deployments, including to Israel, are now handled transparently without political interference. He reported record tourism and remittance performance for 2025, with tourist arrivals reaching two million and remittances expected to exceed USD 7.5 billion, while explaining pending measures on free visas, e-gates, and airport expansion, including required legal amendments and JICA-supported development. He also outlined tourism and infrastructure initiatives in the North and East, efforts to manage Yala jeep operations within wildlife limits, and noted that the Ministry had promptly condemned the September attack in Qatar. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Foreign AffairsEmploymentInfrastructure Read →
17 November 2025 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath outlined the integrated Ministry’s foreign policy priorities, emphasizing economic diplomacy, market expansion, diaspora engagement, and neutral international relations to increase foreign exchange earnings. He reported progress including new and reopened missions in New Zealand, Cyprus, and Chengdu, renewed political dialogues with several countries, 70 new MoUs or agreements, expanded ties in the Caribbean, and facilitation of foreign investment engagement. He also cited work on debt restructuring, tariff negotiations with the United States, cooperation with international financial institutions, and plans to hold Sri Lanka Expo in 2026 after 13 years. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceEnvironment Read →
14 November 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government had stabilized an inherited bankrupt economy through fiscal discipline and presented the Budget as part of its policy framework for continued stability. He emphasized Government action for the Sri Lanka Malaiyaha plantation community, citing the Hatton Declaration and commitments on housing, land, wages, education, health and infrastructure. He said the Budget provides for land allocation, housing support including projects under Indian credit lines, firm land titles, and a Rs. 200 Treasury-funded attendance incentive in addition to a Rs. 200 wage increase agreed by estate owners, amounting to a Rs. 400 increase for plantation workers. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Ethnic Reconciliation & DevolutionLand & HousingPublic Finance Read →
21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath said the Government was prepared to allocate time for the requested debate, but 4 November was unsuitable due to the visit of a foreign Foreign Minister and related official engagements. He proposed extending the Committee Stage debate on his Ministry during the Budget Debate by two hours to accommodate discussion, and said a full-day debate could be considered by the Parliamentary Business Committee to set an appropriate date. Parliamentary Business and Disaster Management Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that the Government had overseen peaceful presidential, parliamentary, and local elections and that no ethnic or religious clashes had occurred during the past year. He rejected claims that Sri Lanka’s foreign relations would be limited to a few countries, citing engagement with major global partners and grants, investments, and agreements from Japan, China, and others, including discussions on direct flights from Belarus. He said the recent UNHRC resolution only extended the reporting period to September 2027 and maintained that Sri Lanka would address human rights and national harmony through domestic measures while acting on corruption. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Final Speeches Foreign AffairsJustice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath moved that Hon. Chanaka Madugoda take the Chair during the sitting. The House agreed to the motion, after which the Deputy Chairperson of Committees left the Chair and Hon. Chanaka Madugoda assumed it. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath asked a brief rhetorical question about whether even the “siyambala” (tamarind) had not been brought. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter was raised in the excerpt. Adjournment Motion: Implementation of Manifesto "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life" - Opening Speeches Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that Provincial Council Elections would be held the following year after discussions on delimitation and the electoral system. He noted that Parliament would decide whether the elections proceed under the previous system or a new one. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that Parliament has a duty to address delimitation and that the process will be concluded once completed. He added that matters concerning the Office for Reparations fall under a separate body and that the question would be referred to it for a final response. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath stated that, during his visit to Geneva, he had clearly set out the Government’s position on the Provincial Councils Election. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Ethnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that he had already explained in detail during his speech why a vote was not sought. He indicated that this prior explanation constituted his answer to the matter raised. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Parliamentary Procedure Read →
9 October 2025 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath reviewed the history of UN Human Rights Council resolutions on Sri Lanka, arguing that successive governments failed to address post-war human rights, reconciliation and accountability issues domestically, leading to continued international scrutiny and mechanisms such as the Sri Lanka Accountability Project. He said the current Government inherited this situation in 2024 and intends to “de-internationalize” the process by protecting the rights of all communities and resolving issues through strong, independent domestic institutions. He also noted that the composition and voting dynamics of the Human Rights Council make it difficult for Sri Lanka to defeat such resolutions, with Sri Lanka having won only the 2009 vote on its own resolution. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Justice & Human RightsEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionForeign Affairs Read →
24 September 2025 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath outlined the procedures and support measures for sending Sri Lankan workers to Japan and Korea under existing Memoranda of Understanding. For Japan, he referred to residential training, Japanese language instruction, public notices on skill tests, use of licensed foreign employment agencies, district-level language courses, fee reimbursements and information services. For Korea, he described the transparent recruitment process under the E-9 visa scheme, including language, proficiency and skill tests, verification, medical and police clearances, registration in HRD Korea’s system, and pre-departure residential and practical training. Questions on Defence Advisers, Migrant Workers, and Employment EmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
24 September 2025 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath provided detailed figures on foreign employment and remittances from 2020 to August 2025, stating that 1,304,545 workers went abroad during that period and that remittances ranged from USD 3,789.4 million in 2022 to USD 7,103.9 million in 2020. He identified Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Japan among countries with the highest registered job orders, while noting that Sri Lankan workers most prefer Israel, South Korea, Japan and Romania. He outlined government measures including MoUs and agreements with South Korea, Israel and Japan, discussions with Romania, pre-departure training, job fairs, social media publicity, and Job Bank access. He said South Korea, Israel and Japan offer higher-wage markets with fewer labour issues, and described selection, skills testing, language training, and pre-departure procedures used to send skilled workers to those countries. Questions on Defence Advisers, Migrant Workers, and Employment Foreign AffairsEmployment Read →
22 August 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath said the Government inherited a severe economic crisis and has prioritized IMF engagement, debt restructuring, poverty reduction, welfare support, and economic stabilization while linking recovery to national unity and reconciliation. He stated that the Government would hold Provincial Council elections after resolving legal obstacles, and would pursue a new Constitution through public and parliamentary input followed by a referendum. He rejected external pressure in constitutional matters, said the Government is committed to protecting human rights and addressing isolated incidents, and emphasized that economic justice is central to reconciliation and national rebuilding. Adjournment Motion: Human Rights Issues Faced by the Tamil Community in the North, East and Hill Country Corruption & Governance ReformEthnic Reconciliation & DevolutionPublic Finance Read →
22 July 2025 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath said the Government inherited a bankrupt economy but has advanced sovereign and bilateral debt restructuring, continued the IMF programme, and improved external indicators through tourism, remittances, exports, and higher FDI. He stated that the Bills before Parliament would legally raise the private sector minimum monthly wage from Rs. 21,000 to Rs. 27,000 from 1 April 2025, with arrears payable, and to Rs. 30,000 from 1 January 2026, while increasing the daily minimum wage and related EPF/ETF contributions. He also noted that plantation workers’ daily wage had been set at Rs. 1,700 through sectoral mechanisms, with further improvements and possible movement toward monthly remuneration to be pursued through wage-board and tripartite processes. Debate: National Minimum Wage of Workers and Budgetary Relief Allowance Bills (Second and Third Readings) Public FinanceEmployment Read →