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

Sitting of Thursday, 8 May 2025

10th Parliament· 12 debates· 285 speeches· 67 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1748426168056758 ·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 Questions: Foreign Official Visits by Former President (Q.5/2024) and Follow-up Questions 16 speeches
    • The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB

      AI summary Hon. Lakmali Hemachandra asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education to provide details of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official foreign visits from 2022 to 2024. She requested the number of visits, countries visited, objectives, benefits to Sri Lanka, accompanying persons funded by the Government and reasons for their inclusion, as well as the total expenditure incurred.

      Foreign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa JJB

      AI summary On behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa provided details of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official foreign visits from 2022 to 2024. He stated that there were 23 visits in total, with 426 accompanying persons funded by the Government, and that the total reported expenditure for the visits by the former President and his nominees was Rs. 1,027,168,778.75. He tabled annexes giving details of destinations, objectives, benefits to Sri Lanka, participant purposes, and expenditure.

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

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake requested detailed economic data from the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, including Sri Lanka’s GDP values and growth rates over the past 20 years, projected GDP growth for the next five years, export values as a share of GDP, leading export commodities, and service-sector foreign exchange earnings. He also asked for information on foreign currency retained overseas, the permitted retention period, and any enforcement action taken against violations of exchange control regulations.

      Public FinanceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma – Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning

      AI summary Deputy Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma, responding on behalf of the Finance Minister, provided national accounts, GDP growth projections, export values, main export items, and service export earnings through annexes, noting that service earnings rose to a provisional USD 6,910 million in 2024. He outlined the legal history of export proceeds repatriation, stating that the 1993 exemption was revoked in 2016, requirements continued under the Foreign Exchange Act and later Central Bank rules, and current rules require goods and services exporters to repatriate proceeds within 180 days. He said the Central Bank is developing an Export Proceeds Monitoring System, reported 2022–2024 export proceeds figures, and noted that administrative action for non-compliance can be taken once procedures are finalized.

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

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns about the impact of tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sri Lankan exports. He asked the Deputy Minister to clarify whom he engaged with on Sri Lanka’s behalf in related discussions, whether direct talks had occurred with U.S. leaders, and what steps were being taken to secure an agreement or solution to protect Sri Lanka’s export interests.

      Foreign AffairsCost of Living Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma

      AI summary The member stated that detailed information would be presented during the debate, noting that the Leader of the House had already referred to the matter earlier.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake pressed for a direct response to a supplementary question, noting that the matter had been deferred with a promise of clarification during the debate. He emphasized that the supplementary question required an immediate answer rather than later discussion.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested detailed data on Sri Lanka’s export totals over the past 20 years in both rupees and US dollars, including exports as a percentage of GDP. He also asked for clarification on impediments affecting exports and the progress of overseas discussions aimed at advancing Sri Lanka’s export sector.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake noted that the Deputy Minister had undertaken to respond during the debate and said that should be sufficient. He indicated the Member could proceed with the second supplementary question.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked whether all questions scheduled for the day would be answered only through the debate, seeking clarification on the handling of parliamentary questions.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked about Sri Lanka’s response to the Maldives International Financial Centre, noting its tax-free status, absence of exchange controls, and constitutional guarantees for investment. He questioned the current status of Sri Lanka’s Port City financial centre plans and sought clarification on how the Government intends to protect Sri Lanka’s competitive position if the Maldives initiative advances.

      Public FinanceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Suriyapperuma

      AI summary International media reports about an investment in the Maldives were referenced, with clarification that the project had been under discussion for years and was only now nearing agreement. Regarding Sri Lanka, plans are underway to advance the Port City by strengthening its legal framework, resolving outstanding issues, and attracting primary developers and secondary industries. Further details are to be provided after the relevant subordinate legislation is approved and finalized.

      InfrastructureForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →