Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, first, regarding this comprehensive Agreement with the UAE, under our Constitution such extensive agreements must be approved by a two-thirds majority of Parliament. Over the past 7-8 years, about 12 such agreements were approved with two-thirds majorities. Constitutionally, that is a good practice enhancing national sovereignty, because even challenging agreements cannot be rushed through without broad support.

¶ 02 I did not hear many speaking directly to the subject today. If the Opposition supports it, good; even if not, the Government has the numbers to pass it.

¶ 03 On 21 September last year, it will be one year since our comrade Anura Dissanayake assumed the Presidency. Agreements with foreign countries are linked to economic, political and cultural spheres. The UAE is economically very important to us and many Sri Lankans work there. From 1 October 2024 to 1 October this year, Sri Lanka has realized US$ 1.015 billion in FDI—simplified, US$ 1,000 million—actual realized, not just signed or pledged. After the Presidential Election victory on 21 September and the subsequent constitution of this Parliament on 14 November, within less than a year we brought in US$ 1 billion of investment—something prior leaders boasting of foreign relations could not do. The reasons: efficiency, dedication, integrity and competence. You can verify with the BOI.

¶ 04 On a recent official visit invited by Saudi Arabia, I met their Transport Minister, Ports leadership, the Chamber of Commerce, the Saudi Fund for Development and other investors. They said, “It is now easier to work with Sri Lanka than before.” We have built an investor-friendly environment—proven by facts, not mudslinging.

¶ 05 I also thank the UN Human Rights Council sessions now underway. Many nations—43 of them—spoke regarding stability in Sri Lanka. We ask all countries to judge Sri Lanka based on facts, not political agendas. For the first time in decades, we have formed a Government free of ethnic nationalism, political repression and election abuses—before or after elections. World leaders who visit say good things, though some narratives change once they leave. Despite past conflict, and lingering nationalism in parts of the Opposition, we govern on a non-communal policy uniting Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher and Malay citizens. This is a collective achievement of the people of Sri Lanka, not of one party alone.

¶ 06 We expect to bring, at Budget time, an investment protection bill to enhance security for investors and the State.

¶ 07 On drugs: some who cultivated that culture now claim the Government is behind narcotics. Their argument amounts to: “Yes, drugs came in; why didn’t you catch us?” That is shameless. We have not placed our people in Customs or Police to obstruct investigations. The President has said repeatedly that criminals have infiltrated parts of the State; we will root them out. Do not attempt to add a political layer of hypocrisy to an already heinous criminal enterprise.

¶ 08 [Interjections and disruptions ensued.]

¶ 09 Hon. Presiding Member, despite interruptions, I emphasize: elements of the Opposition are aligning with those they once called “bond thieves” and others. They now talk of an “united opposition,” but Parliament is what matters, not local authorities. They should state clearly whom they stand with.

¶ 10 Given the time, I will conclude with this. Much has been said today about Palestine. Across parties, there is a common stance for a free Palestine and also recognition of Israel. I express concern over images of Sri Lankan media personnel taken to the Israeli Embassy in India. I also checked a claim about a port official traveling; it was a private visit, not official work. As a Government, we recognize a free Palestine, and we urge that any within our institutions lacking the humanity to stand against the destruction in Palestine must realign with the Government’s policy.

¶ 11 Thank you.