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

8 May 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath clarified that the President’s visit to Vietnam involved two separate events: a State diplomatic invitation from the Vietnamese President and the UN Vesak event organized by a UN-affiliated Vesak Organizing Committee with Sri Lankan Buddhist clergy participation. He stated that accommodation and internal transport were provided by the Vietnamese Government, while the return aircraft was arranged and paid for by the Vietnam Buddhist organization affiliated with the Vesak Committee. He emphasized that no Sri Lankan public funds were spent on the private jet. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Foreign Affairs Read →
8 May 2025 AI summary The Minister explained that the President, he, and officials travelled to Vietnam on a State diplomatic invitation and to attend the UN Vesak celebrations. He said Sri Lankan officials informed the hosts that returning on the same day as the main ceremony would be difficult due to a vote, after which the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha arranged and paid for a special return aircraft. He stated that no public funds were spent on the return flight, while outbound tickets were paid by the Sri Lankan Government and accommodation and internal logistics were provided by the Vietnamese Government. Debate: Customs Ordinance - Resolution on Import Duties on Motor Vehicles Foreign Affairs Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath clarified that the documents in question are Memoranda of Understanding and do not require two-thirds parliamentary approval. He distinguished them from agreements such as the UAE-Sri Lanka investment promotion and protection agreement, stating that any instruments requiring such approval would be presented accordingly. Procedural: Points of Order on Trade Agreements and Privilege Matter Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary The Hon. Vijitha Herath stated that he would consult the relevant Ministries before providing a response to Parliament. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
8 April 2025 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath outlined the outcomes of the Indian Prime Minister’s April 2025 visit to Sri Lanka, highlighting agreements and support across debt restructuring, tourism, digitalization, energy, transport, agriculture, investment, and religious-cultural projects. He stated that India agreed to restructure bilateral debt, convert about USD 100 million in recent loans into grants, reduce interest and extend the tenure of the swap facility, and provide grants for Mannar Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit and the Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling upgrade. He also noted Indian financial support for projects in Anuradhapura, the Thirukoneswaram Kovil in Trincomalee, and the Seetha Eliya temple area in Nuwara Eliya, describing these as measures to strengthen religious ties and tourism. Oral Question: MSME Tariff Crisis and Trade Negotiations (SO 27(2)) Public FinanceInfrastructureForeign Affairs Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Moved approval of several tourism-sector annual reports with Auditor-General observations, including the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Fund, and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, under relevant provisions of the Tourism Act, No. 38 of 2005. The reports had been considered by the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Economic and Physical Plans, and the motions were agreed to. He then moved that Parliament adjourn, which was also agreed to, with the sitting adjourned until 17 March 2025. Papers: Annual Reports - Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Parliamentary Procedure Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the government remains committed to reconciliation, including a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and strengthened domestic mechanisms, noting that the JVP had proposed such measures shortly after the war ended in 2009. He said accountability institutions such as the OMP and ONUR, now under the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, would be strengthened with Budget allocations, alongside initiatives such as restoring the Jaffna Public Library and promoting cultural harmony. He argued that judicial independence, rule of law and domestic accountability reduce the need for external intervention and have improved international and diaspora confidence. He also outlined foreign employment measures, including proposed social security MoUs with Cyprus and India and discussions with the Maldives to improve formal remittance channels. Papers: Annual Reports - Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Justice & Human RightsForeign AffairsEthnic Reconciliation & Devolution Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary The Government has decided to grant free visas to nationals of 39 countries and is considering adding Pakistan, with the relevant Gazette to be submitted to Parliament for approval. Regarding Iranian diplomats’ bank accounts, the issue was said to have arisen about a year earlier and been resolved, though the Government will check whether any current difficulties remain. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Foreign Affairs Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Funding has been allocated and preliminary arrangements completed to open a Sri Lankan embassy in Cyprus. The embassy is expected to be opened within the next couple of weeks. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Foreign Affairs Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath acknowledged technical issues affecting passports and stated that steps are being taken to address and resolve them. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Foreign Affairs Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary The Minister said the integration of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment was intended to increase foreign inflows through tourism, remittances and investment while restoring Sri Lanka’s international standing after the economic crisis and debt restructuring process. He outlined ongoing diplomatic and economic engagements with India, China, the UAE, Japan, the EU, the US and multilateral bodies, including planned MoUs, grant-funded projects, refinery proposals, GSP+ review preparations, and measures to address potential US tariff impacts through market diversification and investment promotion. He also reported progress on consular digitization, including online applications for civil certificates through missions abroad, and said discussions with Italy on driving licence recognition are continuing after issues arose over differing Sri Lankan licence formats. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) InfrastructurePublic FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
15 March 2025 AI summary The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism presented the Ministerial Consultative Committee report concerning the Ministry, covering the annual reports of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for 2022 and 2023, the Tourism Development Fund for 2022, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Fund for 2023. The reports were ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Annual Reports Tabled Parliamentary Procedure Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. Vijitha Herath characterized the Budget as a pro-people measure aligned with national reconciliation and based on the public mandate. He argued that the Government is undertaking a long-term programme with public support and stated that criticism would not deter its implementation. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Public Finance Read →
22 February 2025 AI summary The Minister said the Government was pursuing a production-led economic recovery while using the IMF programme as a temporary stabilization measure, noting expected progress on the third review, a possible US$ 335 million tranche, reserves of US$ 6.1 billion, and fiscal targets including a primary surplus of about 2 per cent of GDP. He said measures were being taken to reduce production costs, attract foreign investment through stronger diplomatic ties and investment protection agreements, and investigate corruption and economic mismanagement lawfully. He outlined tourism and foreign employment as short-term foreign exchange priorities, citing increased tourist arrivals and proposing a National Tourism Commission, regional tourism development committees, improved facilities, and insurance and pension schemes for tourism workers. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Foreign AffairsCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary The Minister stated that the names of all deceased persons had already been tabled. He asked the Member to provide specific details so that the Ministry could intervene in the matter. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Foreign Affairs Read →
7 February 2025 AI summary As of 20 January 2025, the Ministry reported 554 Sri Lankans recruited to serve in the Russian military, with no confirmed evidence of forcible recruitment, and 59 reported deaths based on information from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia. In response to a question under Standing Order 27(2), the Minister said the Government has been raising individual cases with Russian authorities, facilitating family contact, discussing pension continuity for affected families, and introducing a procedure to seek compensation for those who died in Russian military operations. Ministerial Statements on Justice Department, Foreign Employment, and Hydrated Lime Importation Foreign AffairsSecurity & Defence Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary The Minister said authorities have received reports of fraudulent agents taking money by falsely promising employment in Korea, and that legal action has been taken in some cases, including arrests. He urged the public not to fall victim to such scams and said the Government would intervene lawfully and take necessary action when information is received. Oral Questions EmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the Government is working to increase legal foreign employment opportunities for youth in Korea under the E9 and E7 categories, with plans to send larger numbers. He noted that many applicants have been defrauded by agents charging Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 1.2 million, and said relief mechanisms would be formulated for affected victims while expanding lawful employment pathways to other countries. Oral Questions EmploymentForeign Affairs Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath argued that an MoU signed by former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara with Wando County for E8 visa employment was legally defective, citing repeated references to “Pakistan” instead of Sri Lanka in key clauses on worker death, repatriation, and embassy consultation. He said the agreement could not lawfully support sending Sri Lankan workers abroad and left the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency without a legal basis to assist them. He stated that the E8 visa route under this MoU would not continue, while special measures and relief mechanisms would be provided for youth affected by the process. Oral Questions Justice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
9 January 2025 AI summary Vijitha Herath briefly queried whether the individuals under discussion had also travelled to Finland. The remark appears to seek clarification on travel details in the context of the ongoing debate. Oral Questions Foreign Affairs Read →