The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, on the heads of Foreign Affairs and Justice, first on Foreign Affairs: foreign policy should be consistent across governments and ministers. Sri Lanka’s posture in international crises has long-term effects. Therefore, regardless of political change, we should establish a permanent, non-partisan foreign policy think-tank—drawing on eminent national and international expertise—to frame and guide policy aligned to Sri Lanka’s unique interests.

¶ 02 Over the past year, the President undertook eight visits; the Prime Minister six; the Foreign Minister accompanied the President. Hon. Wijitha Herath, a close associate of the President, took the Ministry at his request. We are told 70 agreements were signed and discussions held with 150 investors—but the public has not seen the details. Please publish them.

¶ 03 Diaspora engagements seemed focused on fundraising for upcoming elections rather than national benefit. We hope future visits will yield maximum benefit for the country.

¶ 04 On Foreign Employment: our youth go for low-wage jobs—labour, agriculture, fisheries, garments—while higher-wage opportunities exist abroad and even here. The core issue is lack of trained workers. Education reforms should expand vocational pathways from Grade 9 for O/L dropouts and others, to produce skilled workers, increasing remittances and reducing unemployment. Many who end up in drugs and crime often have lower educational attainment; investing in training will help.

¶ 05 On Tourism, as a Member from a tourism district (Matara): a key issue is lack of night-time entertainment. Tourists want 24-hour options. Some DJ parties run in Ahangama, Weligama, Matara and Dickwella, but the Supreme Court’s directive on loudspeakers limits hours—till 1.00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 12.30 a.m. on Sundays. Perhaps it is time to seek a reasonable revision—allow controlled events only in designated, suitable locations with proper sound containment so that vulnerable groups like infants and pregnant women are not disturbed. Otherwise, businesses are getting negative Google reviews when events stop at 1.00 a.m., harming the industry.

¶ 06 Thank you.