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

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I believe this is a very timely and important debate. We know that a significant share of our country’s foreign exchange is earned by the foreign employment sector. For example, in the first eight months of last year, we were able to earn the foreign exchange that was expected under the entire IMF programme. Therefore, it is very good to bring such an important matter at a time like this.

¶ 02 First, we must fight to curb irregular migration as much as possible. In that, we must also discuss domestic workers and other categories. That is true. Another point is that the percentage of domestic workers from our country has been steadily declining. Last year, the percentage of those who went as domestic workers was below 30 percent. So there is some achievement there, as the share going into domestic service has reduced.

¶ 03 As Deputy Minister for both Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, a key issue I face is people who have left the country irregularly. The problems they face are harder to handle than those who have gone through registered, formal channels. Therefore, we tell everyone to go through proper channels and on the right path. Some go on a visit visa and work. But we say they must register. Registration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment is essential. Especially, only if there is registration can we intervene in any issue effectively.

¶ 04 Hon. Presiding Member, the Adjournment Motion today mentioned certain matters on this. I accept that. In the past, the political authority over the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment did not allow the career officials to work. Some were even interdicted. The Bureau is a prime example of the previous political culture: political appointees as Chairmen, and a separate Board aligned to that. Hon. Presiding Member, we have now begun to clean all this up.

¶ 05 We believe that a mechanism is needed down to the Divisional Secretariat and Grama Niladhari division levels. A minimum framework already exists, but it has not been implemented effectively. We have prepared procedures to make it efficient. If someone wants to go abroad, officials should be able to provide guidance; contribute to the training; and, if someone has gone abroad, look into the entire family mechanism and intervene in issues they face. But there was no proper pathway for that. Although various projects were proposed in the past, we know they were not properly implemented. During the debate on my Ministry’s Expenditure Head, I mentioned this. Now we have the opportunity to restart the suspended and poorly implemented projects. We must carry these out efficiently, and we need that.

¶ 06 Personally, I believe that when someone leaves their family and country to go abroad, it is often the last resort for that person. It is not a path anyone chooses gladly. Then they carry the problems of this country, their own family problems, and—due to the economic crisis—end up facing issues abroad as well. I can never approve of that situation. Therefore, as a Government, we act very responsibly. Especially our Minister of Foreign Affairs, and I as Deputy Minister, and our team—we did not come to do a business. We came to bring regulation to the sector, ensure the safety of all who migrate, and bring in foreign exchange properly to the country. At the same time, only by finding a sustainable solution to the country’s real economic crisis can we end these issues as a whole. As a Government led by the National People’s Power, we will rebuild the economy. If anyone has been compelled to go abroad by force of circumstances, we will end that, and create conditions where a person can go, see and return, or go abroad as a matter of choice. We will also ensure their safety.

¶ 07 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank our Hon. Chandima Hettiaarachchi, who brought this motion. I also thank the Hon. Nizam Kariapper, who represented the Opposition in this very important debate, and our Hon. Lady Member.

¶ 08 We must necessarily safeguard this sector. We must also preserve its dignity. While promoting orderly migration, if anyone goes irregularly, we must ensure their safety and work to end such movements as a whole. Through the foreign exchange they bring, we will strengthen the economy so that people can choose by choice and option. Only then can we find answers to all these problems. Thanking you for allowing me to participate in this debate, I conclude my speech, Hon. Presiding Member.

¶ 09 Question put, and agreed to.

¶ 10 Parliament adjourned accordingly at 6.25 p.m. until 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 19th March, 2025, pursuant to the Resolution of Parliament of 21st February, 2025.