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- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage - Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports JJB AI summary Debating regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, the Minister said the Government had inherited an economy with suspended debt servicing and major import restrictions, but had since resumed debt service, reopened imports in phases, and stabilized conditions. He argued that recent exchange rate pressure was driven by external factors such as higher fuel import costs and did not by itself indicate an economic crisis, citing lower unemployment, higher GDP per capita, and continued business activity. He said Sri Lanka nevertheless faced an external-sector challenge and called for structural reforms, including export diversification, market expansion, and upgrading the export product base. Main Business: Debate on Regulations under Imports and Exports (Control) Act and Appropriation Act Resolutions Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled a written answer detailing SLBFE data on migrant worker complaints from 2015 to 2026, including 75,062 complaints and 36,059 repatriations, with country-wise and issue-wise annexures. He outlined SLBFE mechanisms under its governing Acts, including welfare sections in overseas missions, safe houses, conciliation services, legal assistance, repatriation support, insurance reimbursements, emergency coordination, and hospital or detention-related assistance. He also stated that funeral assistance for families of workers who die abroad has been increased from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 100,000 from 2026, with related disbursement data tabled. Oral Question: Sri Lankan Workers Abroad - Complaints Read →
- 21 May 2026 The Hon. Gayantha Karunathilleka (on behalf of the Hon. Hector Appuhamy) SJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to provide country-wise figures since 2015 on Sri Lankan migrant workers who have experienced harassment abroad, the number repatriated to Sri Lanka, and the interventions or measures taken on their behalf. The question also seeks reasons if this information cannot be provided. Oral Question: Sri Lankan Workers Abroad - Complaints Read →
- 20 May 2026 Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary As Tourism Minister, Hon. Vijitha Herath provided data on Sri Lanka’s accommodation sector and tourism investment in response to a parliamentary question, stating that as of March 2026 there were 8,322 accommodation units with 58,411 rooms, while regional occupancy data was unavailable. He listed the main source markets, including India, the UK, Russia, Germany and China, and identified additional countries targeted for tourism promotion. He said 29 tourism projects worth USD 41.723 million were approved in 2024 and 42 projects worth USD 196.18 million in 2025, and that a diversification strategy is being implemented through market promotion and new products such as cruise, wellness, Buddhist and wedding tourism. He further stated that 126 approved projects are expected to add 3,413 rooms with an estimated investment of USD 339.287 million across provinces, with completion timelines dependent on project scale and permit extensions. Oral Question: Tourism - Room Capacity and Occupancy Rates (Q.?) Read →
- 20 May 2026 Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary Asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to provide data on Sri Lanka’s current hotel room capacity, regional occupancy rates, and the main source countries driving tourist arrivals, including the shares from India, Russia and the UK. He also sought details on targeted new tourism markets, approved tourism investments in 2024-2025, market diversification strategy, planned hotel room additions, their locations and timelines, and estimated investment values. Oral Question: Tourism - Room Capacity and Occupancy Rates (Q.?) Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake, speaking during the debate on the Central Bank’s 2025 Annual Economic Review, questioned the consistency and credibility of official economic data, including claims on growth, reserves, remittances, revenue, debt and Central Bank profits, and asked how much of the reported Rs. 193 billion profit was remitted to the Government. He cited recent alleged frauds and cyber-related incidents across banks and public institutions, and argued that Sri Lanka must strengthen safeguards while preparing for external shocks. He criticized reliance on IMF-linked measures such as fuel and electricity price increases and rupee depreciation, arguing that devaluation had increased the debt burden and interest costs, and called for more localized growth-oriented solutions, stronger revenue collection, broader tax compliance and greater urgency on exports, trade and investment. Adjournment Debate: Central Bank Annual Economic Review 2025 Read →
- 20 May 2026 The Hon. R.M. Jayawardhana - Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce and Food Security JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister tabled details on the Pakistan–Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, noting that it was signed in 2002, entered into force in 2005, covers goods, and aims to expand bilateral trade by removing barriers and ensuring fair competition. He provided year-wise figures for Sri Lanka’s exports to and imports from Pakistan under the agreement from 2020 to 2025, alongside Pakistan’s reported trade figures for recent years. He stated that a high-level committee chaired by the Ministry Secretary is reviewing Sri Lanka’s free trade agreements, with a final report expected to be submitted to Cabinet in June 2026, after which future directions on the PSFTA will be decided. Oral Answers to Questions (Q.1-Q.7) Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism JJB AI summary The Minister provided statistical responses on tourism arrivals, earnings, source markets, emerging markets, average expenditure, length of stay and promotional spending, with annexes and performance tables placed in the Library. He stated that the top source markets have remained largely unchanged since 2022, while markets such as the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and several European countries show notable growth. He outlined short-, medium- and long-term tourism development plans, including Treasury-funded provincial projects for 2026, a 2027-2029 project pipeline, centralized e-ticketing, Beira Lake development, and preparation of a 2026-2030 sector strategic action plan with World Bank support. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism for detailed data on Sri Lanka’s tourism performance, including annual arrivals, earnings, country-wise source markets, average expenditure, length of stay, promotional spending, and tax revenue. He requested comparisons between 2015–2022 and the period from 2022 to date, including changes in top markets and emerging markets after 2022. He also sought information on short-, medium-, and long-term tourism development plans, and asked for reasons if the information could not be provided. Written Answers to Questions Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said the Ministry is pursuing diplomatic channels after reports that Sri Lankan national Sameera Mahboobdeen was detained following Israel’s interception of a Gaza-bound flotilla, with the Embassy in Tel Aviv seeking consular access to confirm her condition, welfare, and legal status. He stated that the Government supports the Inland Revenue amendments as necessary reforms. He also said the Government had inherited a fragile economy but, through fiscal discipline and management, was working to maintain energy security, avoid shortages, stabilize production, and respond to external shocks. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake JJB AI summary Hon. Bimal Rathnayake stated that the authorities had been in contact for two days with Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Türkiye and relevant activists regarding the matter raised. He noted that the individual concerned had not yet boarded at the time and that the Palestine Solidarity Committee was also aware of the situation, adding that the Deputy Minister would provide a formal response. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper argued that the Inland Revenue Amendment’s timing and fairness are problematic, warning that criminal liability for failures such as filing returns or obtaining a TIN could deter young entrepreneurs, especially amid a lowered VAT threshold, rupee depreciation and rising oil prices. He said the Opposition sought a reasonable implementation period and cautioned that immediate enforcement could harm growth. He also raised the reported detention by Israeli authorities of Sri Lankan Global Sumud Flotilla volunteer Sameera Mahboobdeen, asking what action the Government had taken to secure her release given its relations with Israel. Debate: Second Reading of Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill and Committee Stage Read →
- 19 May 2026 Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said the rupee’s 2026 depreciation was driven by external pressures including Middle East tensions, higher oil prices, tourism disruptions, capital outflows, and foreign exchange market expectations, while stressing that the Central Bank maintains a flexible exchange rate and sees no disorderly volatility. He outlined expected IMF, ADB, World Bank and other multilateral inflows, continued QR-based fuel allocation, and a temporary surcharge on certain private vehicle imports to conserve foreign exchange. He said the Government does not accept that most citizens face an unbearable burden, citing expanded relief through Aswasuma, fuel, electricity, agriculture, tea, fisheries and other targeted support amounting to about Rs. 100 billion. He also acknowledged rural household and micro-entrepreneur indebtedness linked to unregulated microfinance and low financial literacy, particularly among women, and said measures had been initiated to address it. Questions by Private Notice and Ministerial Statements Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake thanked Members for supporting and contributing to his proposals on foreign employment and urged the Deputy Minister to implement them without waiting for a new Bill, suggesting that regulations or administrative action under the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment could provide quicker relief. He said stronger protection and support for domestic workers abroad should function as a risk-management or insurance mechanism that could also encourage remittances. He also called for adding value to Sri Lankan labour by training and sending local professionals, including doctors, rather than importing them, linking this to a knowledge-based economy and higher foreign earnings. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister said the Government accepts the essence of Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s motion and is working to strengthen existing foreign employment mechanisms while correcting institutional gaps. He stated that a new Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Act is being prepared with the Legal Draftsman, and that the combined Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment portfolios have enabled stronger consular support for registered and unregistered migrant workers. He outlined measures including a special police unit at the SLBFE, a complaint call centre with serial numbering, proposed agency regulation, and cooperation with the ILO on a mobile app and the IOM on biometrics. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah supported the Private Member’s Motion on protecting Sri Lankan migrant workers, noting their importance to the economy and the prevalence of fraud, non-payment, job substitution, and exploitation, particularly in Middle Eastern employment. He alleged that some employment agents and overseas collaborators misuse housemaid placements for exploitative purposes, damaging Sri Lanka’s reputation and employment prospects. He urged the Government to strengthen legal safeguards, ensure proper job recognition and salary payments, conduct inquiries into abuses, and increase embassy staffing in countries with large Sri Lankan worker populations. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Nanda Bandara JJB AI summary Welcoming the motion on foreign employment, Hon. Nanda Bandara highlighted problems caused by illegal recruiters and the vulnerability of workers whose jobs or wages change abroad or who flee abusive workplaces. He said the Government should prioritize sending trained workers through state-supervised channels, with proper language and professional qualifications, and proposed establishing a dedicated institution to collect and manage information on migrant workers. He also called for stronger state intervention to protect workers of all communities and to increase remittances by reducing unskilled migration. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam urged the Government and all parties to ensure the safety and welfare of Sri Lankan migrant workers in countries such as Qatar and the UAE, noting that many cannot afford to return because they mortgaged assets to migrate. He argued that their remittances have contributed significantly to Sri Lanka’s recovery and reserves, and described recent efforts to coordinate with embassies, airport quarantine officials, and hospitals to repatriate the bodies of young workers who had died by suicide. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam seconded Hon. Ravi Karunanayake’s motion, commending its focus on issues affecting Sri Lankan migrant workers. He said many people from the North and plantation regions migrate under severe economic hardship, sometimes losing welfare support at home, and supported the proposal to give legal powers to a dedicated unit to address their problems. He urged the Government to control bogus foreign employment agencies and address the risks faced by those travelling on tourist visas to countries such as Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →
- 8 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Moved a resolution to establish a legally empowered unit to investigate serious abuses and fraud affecting Sri Lankan migrant workers, facilitate their safe return, and ensure their protection. He argued that migrant workers are vital to the economy, remitting around USD 8.4 billion annually, but are inadequately protected despite the sacrifices made by them and their families. He questioned the effectiveness of the current institutional framework involving the Foreign Employment Bureau, embassies, labour authorities, police and immigration, and called for better coordination and accountability. Debate: Private Members' Motion P.33/2025 - Setting up of a Unit with Legal Powers to Solve Problems Faced by Migrant Employees Read →