The Hon. Lal Premanath

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity. While the Adjournment Motion by Hon. Chamara Sampath is reasonable, I wish to add a few points because certain misconceptions may arise.

¶ 02 We must protect our tourism industry, and the rule of law must apply equally to foreigners and Sri Lankans. The licensing procedure must also be regularized. I have data from 2025.08.03 to 2025.10.31 on tourist arrivals and licensing. In August, 198,235 tourists arrived; 1.168% obtained licences in the manner mentioned. In September, 158,971 arrivals; 1.23% licensed. In October, 153,063 arrivals; 1.29% licensed. Revenue to the State during this period was Rs. 13.27 million—Rs. 4.78 million in August, Rs. 4.27 million in September, and Rs. 4.22 million in October.

¶ 03 The motion refers to three-wheelers. In fact, the temporary licences issued at Bandaranaike International Airport are only for light vehicles—cars, vans, and motorcycles—not for three-wheelers or heavy vehicles. There is, however, an institution, the Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC), empowered under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, that issues permits for three-wheelers. I have here a sample licence issued under “The Motor Car (Convention) Ordinance, No. 25 of 1932 as amended by No. 26 of 1935,” given to a foreigner.

¶ 04 Not every accident is due to foreigners. Only a very small fraction obtains these licences, and I am not aware of a spate of accidents attributable to this recent licensing. Likewise, law enforcement does not apply two standards; the Government ensures equal application. Nonetheless, the concerns raised should be reviewed, and the Government should intervene as necessary. Thank you.