Hon. Presiding Member

¶ 01 In the future, we aim to attract 3 million tourists and increase that number year by year. To achieve that, we must implement numerous reforms in the tourism sector. The private sector currently contributes a large share, while the Government has imposed certain restrictions in some areas. For example, as Hon. Ravi Karunanayake mentioned, there are limits on visiting Sigiriya: visitors are not allowed at night. While various issues may influence such rules, if we find solutions and open appropriate fee-collecting mechanisms, we can further increase dollar earnings. We are very pleased that Sigiriya has become one of the best destinations globally for tourism. We must capitalize on this, provide the necessary facilities and thus increase our foreign exchange earnings. If you take the required steps, we can bring in significantly more revenue from tourism.

¶ 02 We must also address constraints: many tourists expect nightlife. We should create such opportunities in designated areas with proper safeguards. That will increase not just the number of tourists, but also earnings per tourist.

¶ 03 If we implement the necessary reforms in tourism as you expect, the dollars targeted can be achieved. I have seen several proposals to increase the number of hotel rooms; if so, we must extend support across relevant agencies to investors. When investors come to build hotels, government assistance is essential. With that support, many are waiting to invest. Given present conditions, we can build a strong future for tourism.

¶ 04 Security is crucial. The current threat environment is not favorable to tourism. Tourists look at whether there are shootings and killings in a country; when such incidents increase, high-spending tourists stay away. Therefore, we must ensure a peaceful environment.

¶ 05 On foreign employment, this year remittances are around USD 6 billion. We should increase this by long-term measures. No one expects to send our youth only for domestic work; we want to develop skilled groups who can earn higher incomes abroad. Over the past decade, migrant workers remitted over Rs. 50 billion, funding many national needs—fuel and other imports rely heavily on this foreign exchange. Therefore, we must pay greater attention to their welfare. However, have we addressed their problems adequately? In recent years, many faced difficulties, but governments did not provide timely remedies, contributing to sectoral collapse and even to the national bankruptcy and the fall of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government.

¶ 06 I respectfully request the Minister: these workers perform a great service. We must look after their families, and from the airport onwards provide better facilities, and ensure they can live with dignity when they return. Please focus on this.

¶ 07 We also saw at COPA that with poor understanding, questions can unfairly impact large numbers. Regarding visit visas to the UAE: in practice, for those going for work such as domestic workers, the process is lawful and structured. Applicants register with the Foreign Employment Bureau and pay about Rs. 23,000, plus around Rs. 15,000 for the agreement, and USD 100 at our Embassy. This secure process has operated since 2019, and similar procedures apply to travellers from the Philippines, India and other Asian countries to the UAE. Due to misunderstandings spread via committee proceedings, this was portrayed as fraud, causing passengers to face harassment at the airport. This harms the very people who bring us dollars. Please investigate how this happened and ensure proper clarification by officials so such misconceptions do not harm migrant workers and those engaged in facilitating legal migration.

¶ 08 Foreign employment and tourism are our easiest paths to earn foreign exchange. I wish the Minister the strength to deliver higher revenues from both in the coming period.

¶ 09 Thank you very much.