Sitting of Wednesday, 7 January 2026

Order of business

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

1. 1 Papers Papers Presented 7 speeches ▸
2. 2 Petitions Petitions 5 speeches ▸
3. 3 Procedural Condolences and Privilege Matter 1 speeches ▸
4. 4 Oral question Oral Questions: Prime Minister 28 speeches ▸
5. 5 Oral question Oral Question: Factories in Ekala Industrial Zone (Q.1564/2025) 6 speeches ▸
6. 6 Oral question Oral Question: Q.1576/2025 (Adjourned) 2 speeches ▸
7. 7 Oral question Oral Question: Holiday Bungalows in Somawathiya National Park (Q.1631/2025) 2 speeches ▸
8. 8 Oral question Oral Question: Establishment of National Cadet Corps (Q.1635/2025) 7 speeches ▸
9. 9 Oral question Oral Question: Detention Orders (Q.1638/2025) 6 speeches ▸
10. 10 Oral question Questions under Standing Order 27(2) 9 speeches ▸
11. 11 Procedural Ministerial Statement: Foreign Employment Issues 6 speeches ▾
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB

      AI summary The Minister responded to the Opposition Leader’s Standing Order 27(2) question on foreign employment opportunities, stating that current bilateral channels are mainly with Korea and Israel, with Korea indicating 6,800 manufacturing jobs for 2025 and Sri Lankan departures under SLBFE registration declining after a 2022 post-COVID peak. He said recruitment under the Korea EPS scheme does not guarantee employment, web-listed candidates remain eligible for only two years under current Korean policy, and reduced quotas are linked to Korean policy and economic factors, overstaying, and worker job-hopping. He outlined ongoing measures, including discussions with HRD Korea to shift eligible services and shipbuilding candidates into manufacturing, a planned high-level mission to Korea to seek increased quotas, job promotion through the Sri Lankan Embassy, and efforts to renew labour recruitment arrangements with Italy.

      EmploymentForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB

      AI summary Sajith Premadasa urged the Minister to seek an extension from HRD Korea and the Korean Government for the expiring web-listing of about 10,000 Sri Lankan candidates who had completed language tests, interviews and medicals for Korean employment. He also requested intervention to enable departure of candidates already approved for jobs in Italy but delayed due to issues between old and new agreements. He further raised allegations that two foreign employment agencies defrauded over Rs. 860 million from more than 640 people over promised jobs in Romania, calling for a transparent investigation and action against those responsible.

      Justice & Human RightsEmploymentForeign Affairs Full speech →
    • The Hon. Speaker procedural
      Full speech →
    • The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of Opposition SJB

      AI summary The Leader of the Opposition raised concerns over an alleged Rs. 860 million fraud in which people lost their life savings, noting that the relevant agency’s licence had been cancelled but that irregularities occurred both before and after that action. He asked the Minister to focus on specific matters including the Rainbow case, employment opportunities in Italy, and the Korea listing issue, while clarifying that he was not making a personal accusation against the Minister.

      Justice & Human RightsCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
    • The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB

      AI summary The Minister said past foreign employment frauds, including the Rainbow case, involved political patronage and that court action is underway, while six SLBFE officers have been suspended and a special police investigation unit established. He stated that the 1985 Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act is being amended because current penalties and safeguards are inadequate. On overseas employment, he said Sri Lanka is pursuing new agreements, including implementation of an Italy driving licence MoU, and is seeking changes to the Korea MoU so worker listings can be extended and quotas increased, with a ministerial visit planned to press these requests.

      EmploymentForeign AffairsCorruption & Governance Reform Full speech →
12. 12 Procedural Points of Order and Privilege Questions 12 speeches ▸
13. 13 Procedural Ministerial Statements and Points of Order 11 speeches ▸
14. 14 Papers Presentation of Bills: Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill 4 speeches ▸
15. 15 Debate Debate: Colombo Port City Economic Commission (Amendment) Bill 57 speeches ▸
16. 16 Adjournment Adjournment 13 speeches ▸