The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, this Committee Stage on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism is important. We must work with the world, not in isolation. During our bankruptcy and shortage of essentials, several nations supported us. India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extended a USD 4 billion credit line for medicines, food and essentials—timely and lifesaving. We are grateful to India, and we acknowledge support from China (currency swap), Japan and Bangladesh.

¶ 02 Global geopolitics keeps shifting. With President Donald Trump’s return, dynamics have shifted again. As a responsible nation, we must navigate wisely. The US is vital: we export USD 2–2.5 billion in garments and textiles annually to the US, sustaining hundreds of thousands of livelihoods. We must engage to retain export concessions.

¶ 03 Hon. Minister, tourism is a primary foreign-exchange earner. In my Gampaha District—Negombo electorate—many livelihoods depend on tourism. Easter 2019 and bankruptcy devastated the sector. Many entrepreneurs took loans, then received moratoria, falling deeper into debt traps. They still struggle. We urge a debt-relief scheme tailored to medium-class tourism entrepreneurs in places like Negombo.

¶ 04 Also, tourists come to enjoy food, nature and leisure. Yet many restaurants and venues have had their liquor licences cancelled—apparently due to certain court decisions. The Government should find a lawful path to restore licences for bona fide establishments serving tourists.

¶ 05 We should learn from peers. In Cambodia, small shops and restaurants can legally sell beer and wine. Thailand reportedly earns around USD 15 billion partly through its hospitality and events. Health tourism in Thailand earned USD 2.9 billion in 2023. Sri Lanka can tap health and wellness tourism—leveraging Western and indigenous medicine and our skilled professionals. Wellness tourism is growing fast; we can develop packages to attract health-conscious visitors.

¶ 06 Transport is critical: upgrade both public and private passenger services; deploy new technology and apps to ensure safe, cost-effective mobility for tourists.

¶ 07 Basic public sanitation is indispensable: tourists, like all of us, want clean amenities.

¶ 08 Security is paramount. Today, underworld shootings—even targeting people within court premises—create a Medellín-like perception. Tourists will not come to a country with such headlines. We must restore law and order decisively.

¶ 09 Spain welcomed about 85 million tourists in 2023, leveraging events and nightlife. Study successful models such as Brussels and Tomorrowland-scale events; understand how three days can generate immense revenue. Protect our natural assets: reports say 138 elephants were killed in train collisions over 17 years—this is our national heritage. If we destroy wildlife and forests while curbing all nightlife, what will we offer?

¶ 10 Some Ministers even suggest segregating primates on islands or mock wildlife behaviour—this is not policy. Provide a coherent national tourism policy. We are ready to contribute ideas. Do not dismiss advice; we all represent the people.

¶ 11 Thank you.