The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, today we speak on the Votes of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. In any nation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign policy are intertwined with national security and economic policy. Unfortunately, historically in our country, many Governments have paid limited attention to foreign affairs. Especially after the war, foreign policy was viewed as an isolated subject. But economic and national security policies rest upon foreign policy.

¶ 02 In our most difficult moments we adopted a non-aligned, friendly foreign policy. During the fight against terrorism, the tsunami, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent economic crisis and the “Aragalaya”-linked downturn, many friendly nations helped stabilize us. Recently India extended US$4 billion; China supported with US$2 billion equivalent and COVID vaccines. We have always functioned within a non-aligned, friendly foreign policy.

¶ 03 Today you proudly speak about foreign investments and leaders laying foundation stones. I welcome that. But had you embraced this approach 10-15 years ago, these investments would have come two decades earlier. As a political movement, you long acted with an anti-India and anti-FDI outlook. Now in Government you have changed. Had you adopted this earlier, the very power plants and development proposals you now bring would already be realities, benefitting our next generation.

¶ 04 We also hope you will not agree to unfavourable agreements. We opposed the Hambantota Port deal not because of foreign investment per se, but due to unfair terms. When you sign agreements, ensure they suit our country.

¶ 05 Global politics is changing, especially with US election outcomes. Compared to when President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and your 159 MPs assumed office, policies have shifted further. I trust you are mindful and adapting. There is a tariff war; changes in trade and commerce. The Foreign Ministry must study how Sri Lanka should adapt, protecting our sovereignty while maximizing benefits for business and the public. Too often this is left to the Finance Ministry or Central Bank; the Foreign Ministry has a major responsibility to mediate directly with them. Position Colombo Port City without prejudice, as a competitive financial city, offering the best to global counterparties. The global tariff war gives us an opportunity to become not only a transshipment hub but also a transaction hub.

¶ 06 Tourism can develop our country. Though rupee income has increased, dollar terms are still below 2018. To promote tourism, we must expand airports. The second phase of BIA was delayed by alleged inquiries; only now it progresses. We should service at least 80-100 million passengers in future if we want over 10 million tourists; typically 16-20% of passengers are tourists. Even with BIA Phase II we reach around 22 million passenger capacity. We must develop Mattala and Jaffna airports with private sector partnerships and a suitable model.

¶ 07 In the next five years, India’s aviation market will induct over a thousand new aircraft; Middle East–India direct services will expand, creating new opportunities for us if we prepare now. We should target at least 50 million passengers handled within five years to support 5-6 million tourists.

¶ 08 On foreign remittances: large sums came in. We should incentivize them. If we tax those dollars or impose cumbersome banking procedures, people will return to the black market. Instead, build facilitative systems within formal channels.

¶ 09 My colleague mentioned the Philippines; its President faced probes on human rights while taking on organized crime and drug mafias. We too face organized crime and drugs. We must align foreign policy to protect our unity while acting firmly. My friend Hon. Shanakiyan said Ranil Wickremesinghe protected the Rajapaksas. Not so. He filed most cases against us. Now, we are glad he did not betray the country on international media. Whatever our political differences, a former national leader should not publicly accept that our war heroes committed war crimes; that would break the State, not just individuals.

¶ 10 Hon. Shanakiyan levels grave allegations at our war heroes, including sexual violence. If an army deserter is involved in an incident, do not tarnish the entire military. If there are underworld issues, Hon. Minister, intervene; we will support legitimate action. Anyone who takes measures to suppress organized crime and terrorism—we in the Opposition will not drag you to court claiming human rights violations, because ultimately the State must be protected.

¶ 11 We talk of harmony among nations and peoples. If we keep reopening only 1988 in 2025, and 2009 in 2048, social polarization will never end. If we want a politics free of hatred, we must be united on “the State”.

¶ 12 Hon. Minister, you face huge challenges. Your party must now embrace policies it once distrusted, and rely on countries it previously did not. Guide foreign policy so that we are beneficiaries, not victims, of the global tariff war.