The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, this is a special moment. The people have given this Government a very important mandate — to change a 76-year-old political culture. We are prepared to honour that mandate.

¶ 02 I have been appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment. These two Ministries faced serious problems in the past. In foreign affairs, there were many irregularities — including in diplomatic appointments and consular work. We are preparing major reforms and a work plan to rectify these, and our team, led by the Hon. Minister Vijitha Herath, is moving swiftly. Likewise, in foreign employment, there were numerous issues and malpractice under previous governments. We accept responsibility and are ready to face these challenges and deliver answers, swiftly and responsibly — not excuses.

¶ 03 We also recognize that we have inherited a country under pressure from every side. We said during the election that we would shoulder these burdens and overcome them, and we stand by that promise.

¶ 04 I represent Trincomalee District, a symbol of national unity. The results there show people rejecting communalism and embracing unity. We must act in a way that preserves the trust people have placed in us.

¶ 05 There have been various incidents recently; the law has been enforced. Some have tried to cast these as repression. That is not so. A country needs law, and the people need security. But we will never permit extremist agendas or tolerate extremism. As the President has stated, this Government will give no room for extremism.

¶ 06 People have given a unique and special mandate to the NPP-led Government to build a new political leadership. We will act accordingly. We will reform and rebuild the Foreign Service and foreign employment sector into people-oriented services, and protect the public while upholding the rule of law.

¶ 07 If anyone attempts to stoke extremist incidents to derail the Government’s path, we will act decisively to ensure lasting peace and tranquillity among our people. We have seen leaders in the past exploit communal rifts for political gain. We are building a Government focused on people’s welfare, permanent peace, and national unity.

¶ 08 Across all sectors — foreign affairs, education, health, and others — we are ready for major reforms and good governance. We request the support of the public and the Opposition to achieve this.

¶ 09 First of all, Hon. Deputy Speaker, this is a very historic moment. Actually, the Sri Lankan political scenario has taken a different drift now. For the past 76 years, this country was going in a certain direction and by now, we have been able to change that direction and bring forward a progressive Government in this country. Sir, as we know, the people of this country had given a clear and a different mandate to this NPP-led Government. They have rejected traditional politics and wanted to have a complete transformation in this country. So, what we believe is, we have to fulfil those expectations of the public.

¶ 10 Sir, I have been appointed the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment. If we look at those two Ministries, they had been completely devastated during the past rules. Especially if we take foreign employment, it was a complete blunder. Throughout history, the governments had been misusing this Ministry. Also, if we take foreign affairs and appointments to the diplomatic service, they were a complete blunder. So, what we believe is, we need to have complete reform in those sectors and my Minister, the Hon. Vijitha Herath, is taking important measures to have a people-oriented Foreign Service as well as a foreign employment service. We believe, as the Government, that we would be able to fulfil those expectations.

¶ 11 And also, we have to understand one other matter. This country has been devastated by extremism and has been falling short in maintaining the rule of law, but we, as the NPP Government, believe that we have to provide adequate protection for the public. And also, we will never tolerate any kind of extremism that separates people, divides people. We believe that we have to build one Sri Lanka with an equally-treated people.

¶ 12 Sir, I am from the Trincomalee District and I believe that district is a symbol of national unity and the people there had given a clear mandate to us. I believe that is also the mandate of the entire Sri Lankan people. So, we believe that the NPP Government should provide equality and justice to the people. The people had given us the mandate for that and we will make sure that we do the utmost to fulfil the people's expectations.

¶ 13 Thank you very much.