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

Sitting of Friday, 24 October 2025

10th Parliament· 24 debates· 204 speeches· 56 speakers

Source: Hansard PDF (parliament.lk) ↗ ·No. 22644 ·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.

  17. 17 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Export of Rough Gems and Foreign Currency 9 speeches
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK

      AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam made a brief procedural intervention, requesting one minute from the Deputy Speaker. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was raised in the recorded statement.

      Parliamentary Procedure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Deputy Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

      AI summary Minister Sunil Handunnetti replied to a Standing Order 27(2) question on the National Gem and Jewellery Authority, outlining import and export data for rough gems from 2022-2024 and stating that NGJA and Customs are finalizing a verification mechanism for re-exported stones. He said around 70 per cent of Sri Lanka is geologically prospective for gems, with only about 20 per cent explored, and described planned scientific exploration with relevant agencies, universities, plantation companies and other stakeholders. He also stated that mining licensing has been simplified through a one-stop centre, fees are not excessive, and the number of licences increased by 78 per cent between 2021 and 2024. On trade promotion, he said Sri Lanka is studying international auctions for cut and polished gems and aligning domestic exhibitions with regional calendars, while foreign currency brought into the country must be declared where required and bank-based transactions are encouraged.

      AgriculturePublic Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister to clarify whether there is no limit on bringing US dollars into Sri Lanka. The intervention was a brief question seeking confirmation on foreign currency inflow rules.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB

      AI summary Clarified that amounts above USD 10,000 may be brought into the country provided they are declared through the Customs form. The statement emphasized the procedural requirement for declaration rather than a prohibition on bringing such funds.

      Public Finance Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti – Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

      AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lanka generally prohibits export of domestically produced or imported rough gems except where expert committees confirm that low-value or technically non-processable material cannot be value-added locally, while cut and polished exports remain subject to NGJA and Customs supervision. He outlined ongoing research, training and technology upgrades to expand domestic cutting, heat treatment, certification and finishing capacity, with the aim of reducing rough geuda exports and positioning Sri Lanka as a regional gem trading hub. He said the Government targets USD 1–2 billion in annual gem and jewellery exports by 2030, seeks to bring estimated unregulated outflows into a legal liberalized framework, and will review export procedures and tax policies with stakeholders while strengthening action against illicit exports. He clarified that the NGJA levies service fees, not taxes, under the relevant Gazette, and tabled annexes on programmes, strategy and fee schedules.

      EmploymentPublic FinanceInfrastructure Full speech →
    • The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF

      AI summary Raised concerns that high taxes on the gem industry, including 30 per cent corporate tax and 18 per cent VAT, discourage registration and declaration of domestic earnings. He urged the Minister to make the system more user-friendly, restore conditions to retain processing of Sri Lankan gems locally, and consider duty-free facilities or per-carat relief to increase revenue and help achieve the USD 2 billion export target.

      Public FinanceEmployment Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti JJB

      AI summary Sunil Handunnetti said discussions are under way with the Ministry of Finance on VAT treatment for imported rough gems, noting that VAT currently applies because cutting and polishing constitute value addition and involve input credits. He proposed replacing this with a simpler parcel-based import levy, such as a flat USD 200 per parcel, to simplify the process and encourage formal import channels.

      Public Finance Full speech →