Topic
Foreign Affairs
874 speeches · 189 speakers
Party share
By the speaker's party · counts only, no scoring. "Unattributed" = speeches not resolved to an MP.
Most active on this topic
| # | Member | Speeches |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Ravi Karunanayake, M.P. NDF | 68 |
| 2 | Hon. Vijitha Herath, M.P. JJB | 45 |
| 3 | Hon. Sajith Premadasa, M.P. SJB | 42 |
| 4 | Hon. Arun Hemachandra, M.P. JJB | 33 |
| 5 | Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha, M.P. JJB | 26 |
| 6 | Hon. Mujibur Rahman, M.P. SJB | 21 |
| 7 | Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe, M.P. JJB | 20 |
| 8 | Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney at Law, M.P. SJB | 19 |
| 9 | Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P. SJB | 19 |
| 10 | Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC, M.P. SJB | 19 |
Speeches
874 on this topic- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Prasanna Gunasena - Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange position depends on exports, remittances, foreign investment and tourism, noting improved tourist arrivals and revenue compared with 2024 while emphasizing the need to increase visitors’ length of stay and daily spending. He outlined tourism-related measures, including improved management of the Ella train experience, district-level tourism coordination committees, and the issuance of temporary driving licences to foreign visitors at Bandaranaike International Airport, stating that only about 1.19 per cent of arrivals had obtained such licences. He also detailed revised Motor Traffic Regulations increasing licence-related fees, while noting recognition of international driving permits under relevant conventions and the Motor Traffic Act. He argued that rule of law, social justice and a stable environment are essential to further strengthen tourism and investment. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella focused on tourism during the Committee Stage Debate on the 2026 Budget, noting that Sri Lanka is behind its targets of USD 5 billion in earnings and 3 million tourist arrivals, and called for the delayed national destination branding campaign to be launched urgently. She questioned the delay in gazetting the announced free visa scheme for 33 countries, raised concerns over unregistered foreign tour guides, harassment incidents involving foreign women tourists, and inadequate marketing of Kandy as a destination. She also requested revival of the unspent Walkability Improvement Project funds for Kandy and urged measures to improve basic services at the Kandy Court Complex as part of justice sector modernization. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary Minister Vijitha Herath outlined the integrated Ministry’s foreign policy priorities, emphasizing economic diplomacy, market expansion, diaspora engagement, and neutral international relations to increase foreign exchange earnings. He reported progress including new and reopened missions in New Zealand, Cyprus, and Chengdu, renewed political dialogues with several countries, 70 new MoUs or agreements, expanded ties in the Caribbean, and facilitation of foreign investment engagement. He also cited work on debt restructuring, tariff negotiations with the United States, cooperation with international financial institutions, and plans to hold Sri Lanka Expo in 2026 after 13 years. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy referred to the origins of the current Parliament under J.R. Jayewardene and the importance of Sri Lanka’s international relations, urging members not to dismiss that history. He concluded by emphasizing that Sri Lanka should maintain its dignity before the international community and avoid actions that could bring the country into disrepute. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Moved the customary Rs. 10 reduction to the relevant expenditure heads in the Committee Stage debate on the 2026 Appropriation Bill, then criticised the Government’s foreign policy and its rejection of the post-Independence record. He argued that successive leaders from D.S. Senanayake to J.R. Jayewardene built Sri Lanka’s international standing, citing UN membership, the Foreign Service, the San Francisco Peace Conference, non-alignment, and major foreign-funded development projects. He faulted the current administration for its stance at the 2025 UN Human Rights Council session, for allegedly portraying Sri Lanka negatively abroad, and for entering agreements with India, China and the United States without adequately safeguarding national interests. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage (Heads 110, 112, 228-236, 326) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Hon. K. Kader Masthan raised concerns that Sri Lankan expatriates continue to face delays and alleged demands for unofficial payments when renewing passports and accessing other consular services. He urged the Minister to address corruption across these services, not only passport processing, and to expedite assistance for the migrant community. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary The Minister responded to Hon. Kader Masthan’s Standing Order 27(2) question on passport renewals and new passports for Sri Lankans abroad, stating that current processing times range from about one month in the Middle East to about three months in North America and Europe, subject to document verification. He reported that in 2024, 61,229 applications were received and 59,285 passports issued, while in 2025 to date 52,868 applications were received and 44,805 issued, with delays in 2024 attributed to passport stock shortages. He said no irregularities had been identified, and that Cabinet approval had been obtained to introduce online passport applications through overseas Missions, with biometric enrolment units to be installed at 20 Missions under Phase 1 by end-2025 or early 2026 with IOM support. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. K. Kader Masthan SLLP AI summary Under Standing Order 27(2), K. Kader Masthan asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism about delays faced by Sri Lankans abroad in renewing expired passports through overseas Missions. He requested timelines for issuance after complete submissions, statistics on applications and passports issued from previous years through 2025, reasons for delays, and information on any irregularities and monitoring mechanisms. He also asked whether improved procedures could be introduced to reduce delays for expatriate workers, students, and travellers who contribute remittances and maintain family links. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, Arun Hemachandra tabled a response on airline ticket procurement for migrant workers, stating that after 09 October 2024 quotations were widened beyond Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency-registered suppliers to include Civil Aviation Authority-registered suppliers, resulting in lower ticket prices. The response said workers had previously been charged a fixed Rs. 295,000, but actual ticket costs between November 2024 and March 2025 were lower in many cases, leading to Rs. 7.72 million in refunds so far with Rs. 10.48 million still pending. It also provided a sector-wise count of 27,651 Sri Lankan workers in Israel as of 27 October 2025, and noted that CIABOC and the Bureau’s Internal Audit Division are investigating whether fraud occurred, with further action to depend on their findings. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 17 November 2025 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to provide details on the reported reduction of airfares to Israel, including the date and amount of the reduction and the number of Sri Lankans currently employed there. He also sought confirmation on whether the Ministry is aware of an alleged major fraud connected to the airfare reduction and what action will be taken, or reasons if the information cannot be provided. Oral Questions and Supplementaries (Q.1-Q.4 and Standing Order 27(2) Question) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law – Minister of Justice and National Integration JJB AI summary Harshana Nanayakkara rejected Opposition criticism of the President’s foreign relations, citing state visits to India, China, the UAE and other countries in 2024-2025 and listing resulting grants and assistance from JICA, ADB, India and Japan for health, housing and anti-corruption initiatives. He argued that the Government has reduced expenditure in the President’s Office, including recurrent costs, advisory and personal staff expenses, travel, general administration and benefits to former Presidents. He said the Budget would be implemented responsibly and asked the Opposition to correct the Government where necessary but refrain from using parliamentary privilege to spread falsehoods, briefly noting attacks on CIABOC as corruption cases proceed. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 15 November 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara urged the Government to resolve the legal basis for holding Provincial Council elections, arguing that delays have left provinces administered by Governors and officials without elected representatives. He questioned the proposed Rs. 12 billion Presidential expenditure for 2026, called for moderation in presidential security arrangements, and criticised past rhetoric on such costs. He sought greater transparency in the Digital Economy, Digital ID, GovPay/HelaPay and India-Sri Lanka digital cooperation initiatives, including tabling agreements, procurement details and technical frameworks in Parliament with trilingual public communication. He also raised concerns about Parliament staff allowances and pay restructuring, Opposition speaking time, equitable overseas delegation representation, and the autonomy of parliamentary administration. Debate: Committee Stage - Appropriation Bill 2026, Special Spending Units (Heads 1, 2, 4-11, 13, 16-25) Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahuman questioned the Government’s post-IMF programme roadmap after the final review due in March 2027, arguing that the Budget lacks proposals to increase exports, attract investment, strengthen the labour market, or advance trade and investment agreements. He demanded disclosure of agreements signed with India, the United States and China, and criticized the reduction of VAT and Social Security Contribution Levy thresholds from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million as harmful to small and medium traders. He alleged the Budget favours large business interests, citing liquor licensing and the Mannar wind power project, and asked what practical support had been provided to ordinary small businesses beyond schoolchildren’s vouchers. He also tabled the U.S. Department of State’s “2025 Sri Lanka Investment Climate Statement,” highlighting concerns about investor confidence, absence of a unified foreign investment policy, red tape, electricity costs, non-implementation of the Economic Transformation Bill, and lack of a unified tax policy. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 14 November 2025 The Hon. Chathura Galappaththi SJB AI summary Chathura Galappaththi noted the retirement of Parliament’s Director (Administration) M. M. M. Iqbal and then criticized the President and Prime Minister for not attending the World Marketing Forum hosted in Sri Lanka, which he described as an important opportunity to engage ambassadors, business leaders and investors. He stated that the Leader of the Opposition attended the event and was invited to address the Singapore Economic Forum, while suggesting that the President was prioritizing party and ministerial matters over economic forums. He then indicated he would turn to the Budget presented by the President as Finance Minister. Debate: Second Reading of Appropriation Bill 2026 – Sixth Allotted Day Read →
- 13 November 2025 The Hon. Rathna Gamage - Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said recent discussions in Mannar and Mullaitivu with Defence authorities and fisheries officials led to a decision to establish a joint operations room and hotline to address local inter-district fishing intrusions, and that he would check its status and ensure follow-up on complaints. He stated that Indian fishing incursions are being addressed through diplomatic engagement with India alongside joint Navy–Department operations, with continued efforts expected to reduce incidents. On NAQDA licensing delays, he said staff shortages had prompted recruitment requests, and interim deployment of officers from other institutions would be considered to clear backlogs in the North and speed up licensing and dispute resolution. Oral Question: Curbing Illegal Fishing in Mullaitivu and Mannar Districts (1352/2025) Read →
- 12 November 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan said development funds in the Vanni are difficult to implement when allocations are released late, especially during the rainy season, and urged the Government to address administrative barriers created by the Forest Department, Wildlife Department and similar agencies over land needed for housing, agriculture, hospitals and other projects. He questioned delays or obstruction to Indian-supported development at Palaly, Kankesanthurai and the Talaimannar–Rameswaram ferry, arguing that such assistance would support tourism and economic growth. He called for the immediate repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, saying it deters investment including from the diaspora, and raised urgent concerns about Mannar General Hospital, including shortages of specialists, non-reporting of transferred anaesthetists, ambulance limitations and risks to pregnant mothers and emergency patients. Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Second Reading Debate Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary The Minister said temporary driving permits issued at Bandaranaike International Airport apply only to cars, vans and motorcycles, not three-wheelers or heavy vehicles, and are intended to support independent and longer-stay tourists. He stated that the current Rs. 2,000 fee set by Gazette would be revised to Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 45,000 depending on duration, after a new Gazette is approved. He added that three-wheeler permits are issued by the Automobile Association of Ceylon under long-standing practice, that Sri Lanka should consider alignment with the 1968 Vienna Convention, and that unlawful vehicle rental operations would be acted against regardless of ownership. Adjournment: Termination of Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists (Three-wheelers) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Thushari Jayasingha, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Thushari Jayasingha stated that temporary driving permits issued at the airport apply only to certain vehicle categories and account for a small share of arrivals, while three-wheeler authorizations are handled by the Automobile Association of Ceylon under Sri Lanka’s obligations under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. She argued that companies renting three-wheelers to tourists require the relevant certificate before releasing vehicles, and that Sri Lankan law applies to foreigners who commit traffic or other offences. She maintained that temporary or converted permits support enforcement and constitute an appropriate regulatory framework. Adjournment: Termination of Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists (Three-wheelers) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna questioned the Government’s response to alleged corruption involving foreign funds, arguing that failure to act would deter foreigners from coming to Sri Lanka. Referring to discussions on licences for foreign tourists to drive three-wheelers, he said the House should also address alleged misuse of foreign aid and stated that he had submitted five corruption-related documents. He claimed that no corruption case had yet been uncovered in the Northern Province under the current Government, citing large renovation expenditures on rented houses as examples. Adjournment: Termination of Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists (Three-wheelers) Read →
- 11 November 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna Independent Group 17 - Jaffna AI summary Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna supported the Adjournment Motion concerning the cessation of issuing driving licences to foreign tourists, noting the importance of tourism income, particularly from the European Union. He then raised allegations of corruption in the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project, citing World Bank and EU funding from 2019 to 2025 and claiming that Rs. 20 million of EU funds had been spent on painting a rented building, naming individuals he said were connected to the matter. Adjournment: Termination of Driving Licences for Foreign Tourists (Three-wheelers) Read →