The Hon. (Dr.) Rizvie Salih - Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, thank you very much for the time allotted for me to speak on the Votes of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development during the Committee Stage Discussion.

¶ 02 As you know, Sir, in order to bring this country out of bankruptcy and for us to come out of this pathetic situation we are in, we have earmarked tourism as one of the main avenues that generate income and foreign exchange for this country. Our economic stabilization depends on the tourism industry, for which we have ambitious plans and projects, portraying our country as a preferred tourist destination to the world.

¶ 03 However, Sir, the article in the “Daily Mirror” of 18 March, 2025 titled “The bane of over tourism and Israeli occupation in Sri Lanka” is indeed very disturbing. It gives details as to how Israeli tourists who come here on tourist visas operate businesses outside our legal system and framework. They operate illegally on tourist visas and engage in physical encounters with locals and other foreigners. They have opened shops, restaurants and hotels, for which bookings are made in their own country. That does not benefit the Sri Lankans or our economy to any significant extent or bring in foreign exchange. News of their actions and violent behaviour is spreading the world over.

¶ 04 Sir, you know that Sri Lanka is a very sought-after surfing destination. We have beautiful beaches in places such as Hikkaduwa and Ahangama in the South, while in Arugam Bay and other places in the East also, we have beautiful beaches and seas ideal for surfing. In fact, Sri Lanka is a surfing paradise during the whole 365 days of the year. We have encountered those Israeli tourists and received many complaints about how they dominate the surf, how unfriendly they are and about their violent predisposition towards other surfers.

¶ 05 When it comes to surfing, Sir, there are etiquettes in sharing the waves. We have also heard about how these tourists from Israel dominate the surf without allowing other surfers to be there, so much so that a lot of surfers, as I was told and as this article also goes on to state, might overlook Sri Lanka as a surfing destination in the future. Sri Lanka is also known the world over as a land of smiling people and a haven of peace and tranquillity. I would like to mention, Sir, that this article even goes on to state that the influx of Israeli tourists started after October, 2024 because there are many countries in the world which have prohibited them from coming. So, that is one reason why they have chosen Sri Lanka. This article further goes on to state, I quote: “They are patronizing their own places; they dine at Israeli restaurants, they go for Israeli parties, stay at hotels run by Israelis and since some of this money is siphoned off straight to Israel, Sri Lanka is not benefiting from it.”

¶ 06 Again, I would like to say that this article carries the headline, I quote: “The bane of over tourism and Israeli occupation in Sri Lanka.”

¶ 07 Sir, now, I would like to mention about the events that have been unfolding in Gaza in recent times. One of the most catastrophic humanitarian crises of our time is unfolding there right now. I stand before this august Assembly today to bring to your urgent attention the renewed Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza, which began on 09 March, following the breakdown of ceasefire negotiations. Sir, we are witnessing not merely a military conflict, but an unprecedented assault on innocent civilian lives. According to the latest reports, since the escalation of violence in the recent days, 436 Palestinians have been killed, a significant portion of whom had been innocent civilians. The breakdown includes at least 183 children, 94 elderly individuals and 125 men with an additional 678 individuals sustaining severe injuries.

¶ 08 The coordinated strikes executed by Israeli forces have targeted 23 specific sites that had previously been designated as humanitarian safe zones.

¶ 09 Sir, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that since October, 2023, at least 49,547 Palestinians had been confirmed dead and 112,719 wounded, meaning that one in every 50 individuals had been killed and one in every 20 had been wounded in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated beyond imagination. Medical infrastructure remains severely compromised with only 12 hospitals supported by UNFPA delivering services in Gaza. We must acknowledge the gravity of this situation: there is pure genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. According to Amnesty International, Israel has unleashed hell and destruction on Palestinians, brazenly continuing with total impunity.

¶ 10 Sir, the rhetoric from Israeli officials is deeply disturbing. The Israeli National Security Minister has openly admitted that conditions in Israeli prisons have indeed worsened. He has dismissed the basic rights as “perks” for Palestinian detainees.

¶ 11 Sir, Sri Lanka has historically been supportive of Palestine. Governments and leaders of the past had always maintained a friendly attitude towards the people and the cause of the nation of Palestine; they have stood up for the rights of the Palestinian people. Today, we have the Leader of the House, the Hon. Bimal Rathnayake, as the President of the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine. Similarly, past leaders of political parties which held governments in Sri Lanka had always been sympathetic towards and upheld the cause of the Palestinian people. When former Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Sri Lanka in 2008 and 2012, he expressed gratitude for our support throughout Palestine's struggle for international recognition. Our nation supported the historic UN Resolution that enhanced Palestine's status and continues to support its application for full UN membership.

¶ 12 Sir, as I conclude, I urge this House to reaffirm Sri Lanka’s commitment to international humanitarian law and human rights. We must condemn the genocidal actions taking place in Gaza, call for an immediate ceasefire and demand accountability for war crimes.

¶ 13 Today, in Sri Lanka, we see synagogues mushrooming in all parts of the Island, which has angered the local population. These are people who have opened businesses, cafes and hotels in our country after coming on tourist visas. So, if this is left unchecked, we may again face a disastrous situation in our own land.

¶ 14 Our nation’s moral authority stems from its historical support for just causes. So, let us stand united in solidarity with the Palestinian people and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the dignity and the rights of all. Let us take meaningful steps and actions which would, in the long term, benefit our nation, not just economically, but also in its image as a compassionate, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic land which stands up for those who are unable to do so themselves.

¶ 15 Sir, once again, I would like to thank you for the time afforded to me to speak on this very important topic, which is significant not only to us, Sri Lankans, but to the world as a whole.

¶ 16 Thank you, very much.