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

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, during today’s debate, several Opposition Members queried the government’s stance on the reconciliation process. We wish to state clearly: the war ended on 18 May 2009. Exactly one week later, on 26 May, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna for the first time in Sri Lankan history handed a proposal to the then President to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, presenting a comprehensive programme for post-war reconstruction. Years later, Navanethem Pillay, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, proposed it for Sri Lanka. We, as a political movement with foresight, proposed it within a week after the war’s end. We also proposed a commission to address changes stemming from ethnicity, and a two-year joint task force of all political parties represented in Parliament to rebuild the war-torn North and East. None of that was done. Had we established a TRC then, UNHRC Resolution 51/1 would not have come. That is the truth.

¶ 02 Our position has not changed. We proposed it then in the Opposition in the interests of national unity and reconciliation, and now we are in government to implement it sincerely and strongly—not merely to satisfy the Human Rights Council, but out of genuine commitment. We assure the Tamil and Muslim people, as well as the Sinhalese, that we will implement mechanisms so that the ethnic disharmony fostered by rulers over history will never recur. That is why people in the North, East, plantations and Malaiyaha Tamils voted for us in large numbers, and their MPs have joined the NPP. We will not waver.

¶ 03 Hon. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Hon. Rauff Hakeem and Hon. Rasamanickam asked about accountability. Do not doubt us: as a government we will be accountable to the people and deliver. Institutions like the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and ONUR are now under the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, not under Foreign Affairs, but we will strengthen them to deliver justice to families of the disappeared and those killed. Funds are allocated in this Budget and steps are being taken.

¶ 04 We have allocated funds to restore the Jaffna Public Library to the best condition. Beyond physical development, we are taking and will strengthen cultural initiatives that build harmony. This is what builds confidence at the UNHRC—domestic mechanisms under an independent judiciary, protection of human rights, and a strengthened democratic framework to ensure non-recurrence. We have begun practical steps. Therefore, there is no need for external intervention. Previously, external pressure was invited because there was no judicial independence; the law of the jungle prevailed. Today, the Police and Judiciary are free from political interference and the rule of law operates. This has built international confidence, as reflected in the High Commissioner’s concluding remarks this session. The Tamil diaspora worldwide also understands our new government’s process. In Canada’s new government, the son of former MP Ananda Sangaree has been appointed Minister of Justice—something we welcome. Sri Lankans abroad, who left under various circumstances, are regaining confidence in our country and extending cooperation. We believe this will strengthen and ensure success.

¶ 05 On social security for Sri Lankans working abroad, in Cyprus our workers have long been unable to access social security funds; we intend to sign an MoU with the Cyprus government. We have already reached agreement with India: Sri Lankans working there will be able to access accrued social security when they return, once we sign the MoU shortly. From there, we will proceed country by country to secure access to social security for our workers.

¶ 06 Remittances from some countries do not flow through banks due to local limits. For example, Maldivian regulations cap dollar transfers, so Sri Lankans resort to other channels. The Maldivian Foreign Minister visited Sri Lanka and we began discussions, including with their Ambassador, to normalize banking channels. We also wish to open Sri Lankan bank branches in countries where many Sri Lankans work, but that requires host government approvals. We will proceed step by step.

¶ 07 We agree that expanding air connectivity is vital. A private airline will commence flights in early April from Katunayake to Kuala Lumpur, widening connectivity through the private sector.

¶ 08 Hotel room bookings online are currently dominated by one platform. We have begun discussions with local companies to establish alternatives and to register existing platforms. Booking.com is not currently remitting due taxes; they take significant profits out of the country. We must change this. A Sri Lankan group in Brisbane, Australia, has already launched an alternative portal. As these grow, we can chip away at platform monopoly through promotions and regulation. We have also decided to grant visa-free entry to 39 countries; after gazetting and concluding this debate, we will bring it to Parliament, expanding to over 40 countries.

¶ 09 There is longstanding demand for pensions for migrant workers and also for drivers and guides in tourism who lack income security in old age. Under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, there is a Social Security Fund. Our Foreign Employment Bureau has already signed an MoU with it. A contributory pension scheme exists for migrants, though many are unaware. We will strengthen and publicize this, and extend similar mechanisms to those in the tourism sector.

¶ 10 On ambassadorial appointments, Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara raised concerns. Our NPP government appoints state diplomatic representatives who will implement our policies. We appoint from the Foreign Service and, where suitable, from outside with the right qualifications. We have submitted seven names—qualified and capable. We will not appoint cronies or relatives. Ambassadors and High Commissioners are the President’s representatives; they must have the government’s confidence and implement its policies. A former High Commissioner in Pakistan, a retired military officer, criticized the government publicly and attempted to travel on a diplomatic passport; he was turned back. Those who misuse privileges cannot continue as the President’s representatives.

¶ 11 We have also nominated senior Sri Lanka Administrative Service officers and others. Former Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya has been nominated as Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. We have not appointed anyone’s relatives or spouses. Regarding our nominee to the United Kingdom, Mr. Senadheera is a Special Grade SLAS officer, currently attached to the Ministry of Public Administration, with degrees from Peradeniya, an MSc in Public Policy from a UK university and an MPA from Flinders University, Australia. He served four years as Director of Administration at the Foreign Ministry and as Minister Counsellor/Minister and Acting High Commissioner in South Africa. He is experienced and qualified. We have named only seven countries so far, selecting capable individuals who can conduct state diplomacy and implement the new government’s policies for economic and political advancement.

¶ 12 Regarding my Private Secretary, there is no charge against him. A few have concocted allegations through the media to embarrass the government. He served as High Commissioner in South Africa and Kenya, is 65, and does have differing views, but there is no substantiated accusation. I know who is behind this, but I have not taken action yet. Such conspiracies will not distract us.

¶ 13 On tourism development: we currently have 26 tourism zones; we plan to establish six more this year. Some zones have been named but their enabling gazettes with operational criteria are incomplete. We will complete them and establish functioning zones on the ground. We have identified around 100 locations islandwide for development, and will proceed in line with Budget allocations. As tourism scales up, we aim this year to train 6,000 new personnel, and to establish training institutes at provincial and district levels, starting with the Northern Province and Jaffna. In Batticaloa, a Korean-assisted programme is already underway; we will expand through the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

¶ 14 We aim for community-based tourism—beyond hotel-centric models—integrating village communities. A successful model experiment in Kantale, with Korean assistance, took tourists through paddy fields, showing harvesting and village culture. We must expand such models across the country. This is just the beginning; in two or three months, we cannot do everything, but we have a vision.

¶ 15 A key challenge is coordination. For example, Sigiriya is under the Central Cultural Fund, outside the Tourism Ministry; Yala tickets are issued by the Wildlife Department, not Tourism. We get blamed for issues like congestion. Therefore, we propose a National Tourism Commission integrating 18 institutions—Tourist Police, Central Cultural Fund, Department of Archaeology, Urban Development Authority, relevant provincial and local authorities, etc.—and establishing Regional Tourism Development Committees to solve local issues and drive development. The current law is the Tourism Act of 2005. We have submitted proposals to Cabinet to amend it, set up the new legal framework, and implement a whole-of-government programme so we can transform the entire country into a tourism zone.

¶ 16 I will not take more time. I thank all Ministers and Members from both government and opposition who joined this debate on the Foreign Affairs Ministry. I am not doing this alone. My two Deputy Ministers, our government, the Secretary to the Ministry, and all officials, with their dedication, have enabled this progress. We have laid a strong foundation; upon that, we will build the walls and roof properly. We have confidence. Our Ministry will work at the highest level, internationally and nationally, for the country’s development and for all the people. Thank you to all who participated.

¶ 17 Question put, and agreed to: - “That the sum of Rs. 1,190,000,000, for Head 112, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure, be inserted in the Schedule.” - Head 112, Programme 01, Recurrent Expenditure, ordered to stand part of the Schedule. - Programme 01 - Operational Activities - Capital Expenditure, Rs. 61,000,000. Question put, and agreed to. Ordered to stand part of the Schedule. - Programme 02 - Development Activities - Recurrent Expenditure, Rs. 18,217,000,000. Question put, and agreed to. Ordered to stand part of the Schedule. - Programme 02 - Development Activities - Capital Expenditure, Rs. 1,995,000,000. Question put, and agreed to. Ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

¶ 18 I move: “That the Committee report Progress; to sit again on Monday, 17th March, 2025.” Question put, and agreed to.