The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

¶ 01 Mr. Chairman, first I thank Hon. Hector Appuhamy for his suggestions accompanying the customary motion to reduce the Head by Rs. 10.

¶ 02 We combined Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment into one Ministry to secure quick solutions to the current economic crisis. We inherited a bankrupt country and commenced a programme with the IMF as a temporary path. Within a short time, we completed the international sovereign bond restructuring framework and are finalizing bilateral restructurings with various countries via agreements and MoUs.

¶ 03 To exit crisis, we must boost foreign inflows and reserves. Short-term targets are growing tourism earnings and migrant remittances—hence the integrated Ministry.

¶ 04 Our core duty in Foreign Affairs is to restore Sri Lanka’s international standing, politically, economically and culturally, while protecting territorial integrity and sovereignty and practicing mutual cooperation and peaceful coexistence. We now maintain close diplomatic ties with India, China, Russia, the US, Japan, the Middle East, Africa, and others, without leaning to any camp.

¶ 05 With India, following our assumption of office, we received the first state visit invitation; we advanced multiple economic understandings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit in early April; we plan to sign new MoUs, inaugurate the Sampur solar project, and receive, as grants, the full signalling system upgrade for the Mahawa–Anuradhapura railway segment. We also expanded solar installations for religious places and housing for estate communities.

¶ 06 With China, we signed 15 MoUs. China will support free school uniforms in 2025 and expressed willingness for 2026 as well. In Port City Colombo, preliminary funding has been set aside for a new convention facility. As grants, 1,896 urban housing units in Peliyagoda, Moratuwa and Kottawa are being built for low-income families, including those in arts and culture. Sinopec has agreed to invest USD 3.7 billion in a Hambantota refinery; groundwork is underway.

¶ 07 In the UAE, we reactivated the dormant Joint Commission on Investment Promotion and Facilitation, restoring investor confidence. Numerous Middle Eastern Ministers have since visited expressing readiness to invest.

¶ 08 We have invited proposals for four refineries to expand our footprint in the global market, with new facilities proposed in Sapugaskanda (including modern technology) and Trincomalee. Japan has agreed to restart the stalled phase of the BIA expansion. We are advancing accessions and participation: the Biodiversity Convention approval is ready; we plan to engage at the UN Ocean Conference in Paris in June; we have applied for membership in the Asian regional organization and pursued engagement with BRICS institutions—while BRICS membership is not expanding now, we have sought to join the NDB with Central Bank concurrence.

¶ 09 On EU GSP+: the review has commenced; a delegation will visit in April. We are preparing diligently.

¶ 10 Regarding potential impacts from President Trump’s new US tariff policy: we export about USD 3 billion to the US and import about USD 368 million. We convened experts and private sector leaders at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute, set up an action task force, and are exploring diversification to Africa and other markets, new trade agreements, investment attraction, and technology enablement.

¶ 11 Digitization: Within two months, Sri Lankans worldwide can now apply online via our Missions for birth, marriage and death certificates. We are working via IOM to enable passport applications abroad subject to Cabinet approval.

¶ 12 On the Italy driving licence MoU: The 2017 agreement expired in 2022 and was not renewed. Visa issuance to Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh had been halted late last year; we secured lifting of Sri Lanka’s restriction on 4 March. On licences, on the 11th we received Italy’s notification: the delay arises from multiple licence formats Sri Lanka has issued. Italy asked for a harmonized approach. We have informed the RMV to make the needed technical alignments; once done, the issue can be resolved.

¶ 13 At the UN Human Rights Council, we face a resolution in September. We are strengthening domestic institutions to ensure human rights within a domestic mechanism, under the rule of law and democratic norms, and have communicated our commitment responsibly.

¶ 14 Tourism: We welcomed 2 million arrivals last year; this year’s target is 3 million. Over January–February, we received over 500,000 visitors, with 7,000–8,000 arrivals daily. We are improving both capacity and quality, upgrading training, and have obtained UGC approval for a tourism degree at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism & Hotel Management.

¶ 15 Foreign employment: We earned USD 6.57 billion; this year we aim for USD 7 billion-plus. We will increase skilled worker shares to 72–75 percent while reducing low-skilled to 25 percent, eliminating political interference and opening fair opportunities for youth.

¶ 16 I conclude, thanking Opposition Members for constructive cooperation.