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

Sitting of Friday, 11 July 2025

10th Parliament· 13 debates· 219 speeches· 53 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 1753082553092748 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard

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Order of business

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  6. 6 Debate US Tariff Duties - Member's Attention Matter and Discussion 20 speeches
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka raised, under Standing Order 92(2)(a), the issue of United States tariff duties imposed in April and the Government’s response. He noted that the Opposition had participated in an all-party discussion with the President on reducing tariffs and supporting related measures, and referred to a subsequent visit by a Government team, including a Deputy Minister, for discussions.

      Foreign AffairsParliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Gayantha Karunathilleka briefly requested the Deputy Speaker’s permission for one additional minute to conclude his point. No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised in the excerpt.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary Bimal Rathnayake stated that, under the Standing Orders, Members do not have a right to make such remarks. He agreed that the Chief Government Whip could be permitted to make a brief remark on this occasion due to his responsible conduct, but stressed that it should not become a practice, convention, or entitlement.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka SJB

      AI summary Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka raised concern over an official notification on tariff issues, warning that it could seriously affect Sri Lanka’s apparel and export sectors. He noted that although he expected the matter to be included on the Order Paper, only Private Members’ Motions were listed, and he therefore invoked the Standing Orders to draw the Government’s attention. He requested a clarification of the Government’s position on the issue.

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

      AI summary The Minister outlined Sri Lanka’s negotiations with the United States following the imposition of a 44% tariff on Sri Lankan exports on 2 April, noting that a committee was appointed and officials held discussions in the US on a possible bilateral trade agreement and the trade imbalance. He stated that, after negotiations, the US notified Sri Lanka that a reduced 30% tariff would apply from 1 August if no agreement is reached, describing this as the largest reduction among countries receiving similar letters. He said the Government will continue diplomatic negotiations to further reduce the tariff and improve trade relations.

      Public FinanceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB

      AI summary Hon. Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition would provide bipartisan support to secure a favourable outcome on US tariffs, noting the importance of the US market for Sri Lankan exports and apparel. While welcoming the reduction from 44 per cent to 30 per cent, he argued that Sri Lanka must assess its competitiveness against exporters such as Vietnam, India and Bangladesh, given the price sensitivity of apparel. He proposed intensive diplomatic engagement over the next three weeks with US trade agencies, Congressional Sri Lanka Caucuses and the White House, including the Chief of Staff, to protect export earnings and around 350,000 apparel jobs.

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

      AI summary The Minister responded to Opposition remarks on US tariff measures, saying the issue reflects a broader global US trade posture rather than a bilateral matter that can be solved through informal political interventions. He stated that Sri Lanka’s reduction from 44 per cent to 30 per cent was achieved through state-to-state trade diplomacy and was the best outcome among 25 notified countries. He also clarified that India had not received a formal tariff reduction notice, and that the cited 26 per cent figure referred only to an earlier general calculation, not an applied reduction.

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

      AI summary Sri Lanka’s apparel exports to the United States were clarified as accounting for about 69–70 per cent, higher than the previously cited 60 per cent. The Minister said the matter had been discussed the previous day, further meetings with industry stakeholders were scheduled, and the Government would continue addressing it through diplomatic engagement.

      EmploymentForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB

      AI summary The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake referred to a British High Commission news alert on new UK trade measures allowing Sri Lankan apparel and other goods tariff-free access under liberalized rules of origin. He said he would table material on how other countries had secured relief from US tariffs, noting that some had offered significant concessions such as aircraft purchases. He urged a national, serious approach to trade negotiations, acknowledged the work of the Minister, officials, and industry organizations, and called for any debate on the matter to provide equal opportunity to both sides.

      Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB

      AI summary Raising a point of order, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna warned that tariff advantages for countries such as Vietnam, India and Bangladesh could seriously affect Sri Lanka. He urged the Government to resume urgent negotiations with the United States, noting that the relevant letter left room for further talks, and said members of the Sri Lanka–US Parliamentary Friendship Association and Opposition representatives were ready to assist in a united national effort.

      Parliamentary ProcedureForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB

      AI summary Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna warned that if competitor countries secure lower tariffs, Sri Lanka could face wider economic consequences. He framed the concern as a national competitiveness issue rather than an attempt to assign blame.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
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    • The Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna SJB

      AI summary Harshana Rajakaruna called for attention to an unspecified matter in the context of Sri Lanka’s fragile economic situation. He framed the issue as requiring parliamentary consideration due to current economic vulnerability.

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

      AI summary The Minister clarified that the US trade measure was part of a general global policy based on a common formula tied to trade gaps, not a bilateral tariff decision targeting Sri Lanka. He said Sri Lanka was among the earliest countries to engage in talks and, among 25 countries sent courtesy letters, received the largest reduction, from 44 per cent to 30 per cent. He stated that the matter would continue to be handled diplomatically in the national interest, rather than through association-level positions or separate side discussions.

      Public FinanceForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Chaminda Wijesiri SJB

      AI summary Chaminda Wijesiri sought the Deputy Speaker’s permission to speak under Standing Order 146.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →