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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Sitting of Tuesday, 18 March 2025

10th Parliament· 11 debates· 132 speeches· 64 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1745915246032615 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

Speeches load per item. Summaries shown here are AI-generated and labelled; verbatim text is on each speech page.

  6. 6 Oral question Oral Question under Standing Order 27(2): Export of Sri Lanka's Textiles and Apparels and Ministerial Clarifications 11 speeches
    • Mr. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised a Standing Order 27(2) question to the Minister of Finance on the potential impact of renewed US protectionist trade policies and tariff increases on Sri Lanka’s textile, apparel and general exports, noting the sector’s importance and its 1.2 million direct employees. He asked whether the Government had assessed these risks, engaged with US authorities or sought special accommodation, and taken steps to preserve market access through GSP or alternative arrangements. He also sought details on export market diversification, FDI and trade agreements, consultations with industry on competitiveness, support for affected workers and firms, and how Sri Lanka could use its location to attract US investment.

      Foreign AffairsEmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB

      AI summary The Minister outlined the Government’s assessment of possible US reciprocal tariffs expected to be announced in April 2025 under a “fair trade” framework. He said Sri Lanka is examining potential impacts on key export sectors, especially apparel and textiles, rubber products, coconut-based products and plastics, which together account for about 86 per cent of export earnings to the US. He noted ongoing coordination among the Finance and Trade Ministries, the Export Development Board and diplomatic channels, including engagement with the USTR through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington and stakeholder discussions in Colombo, to prepare policy responses.

      Foreign AffairsPublic FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake sought clarification on potential US tariff increases affecting Sri Lankan apparel exports, noting reported moves to reshore women’s apparel production and an 18.1 percent rise in Sri Lanka’s April apparel exports to the US. He warned that selective tariff increases on trade-surplus countries could harm Sri Lanka as it recovers from bankruptcy, and urged the Government to negotiate a 10- to 15-year special tariff arrangement with the Trump Administration, citing the sector’s 1.2 million direct jobs.

      Foreign AffairsEmploymentPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB

      AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said discussions on broader tariffs are ongoing, but the immediate issue is the United States’ reciprocal tariff policy under its fair trade framework, which he described as a general US policy recalibration rather than a measure aimed specifically at Sri Lanka. He stated that Sri Lanka is preparing to respond through diplomatic channels, while noting US support in the country’s IMF-linked debt restructuring process. He added that the Government would avoid speculation until official details are released and would act strategically through continued diplomatic engagement.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake rose only to seek or make a clarification. No substantive policy argument, proposal, question, or demand is included in the provided excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB

      AI summary The Prime Minister responded to a Standing Order 27(2) question on education expenditure, graduate employability and unemployment, stating that per-student expenditure is not separately maintained for primary and secondary levels, while tertiary costs vary significantly by discipline. She noted that no comprehensive official study exists on exact annual per-student costs across all education levels, and that national graduate employment data are incomplete, though 2022 tracer data show differing employment rates across fields. She outlined measures including university career guidance programmes, industry linkages, skills training, labour forecasting, expansion of vocational and technological education, and recruitment of 35,000 graduates to existing vacancies, with Rs. 10,000 million additionally allocated and teacher recruitment subject to a pending Supreme Court case.

      EducationPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

      AI summary Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa sought clarification on the Government’s National People’s Power policy pledges to recruit graduates into teaching, IT, revenue, customs, foreign service, tourism and related sectors. Referring to ongoing protests by unemployed graduates at Poldowa and prior public assurances by Minister Sunil Handunnetti, he asked the Prime Minister to disclose a concrete action plan, roadmap and timeline for implementing the promised employment opportunities in 2025.

      EducationEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB

      AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that public sector appointments, including teacher recruitment, are being made according to established criteria, Public Service Commission procedures, and identified vacancies, rather than arbitrarily. She said nearly 10,000 appointments have already been made and a committee under the Secretary to the Prime Minister is coordinating further recruitment. Regarding 20,000–25,000 education sector vacancies, she said recruitment is delayed by a pending Supreme Court case, and the Government will proceed if the Court permits after the Attorney-General presents the Cabinet decision at the next hearing.

      Parliamentary ProcedureEducationPublic Finance Full speech →