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- 9 September 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister supported the Sri Lanka–UAE Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, stating that it would strengthen legal protections, dispute-resolution mechanisms and investor confidence while benefiting investors in both countries. He argued that economic and political stability had improved, citing the rise in the Colombo Stock Exchange ASPI and reported investment inflows, and compared Sri Lanka’s economic indicators with the UAE’s to underline the value of the partnership. He said long-term investment was necessary alongside IMF-supported stabilization, remittances and tourism, and urged Parliament to approve the agreement with the required two-thirds majority while rejecting diversions to unrelated issues. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary Welcoming the Sri Lanka–UAE investment agreement, Dr. Hizbullah argued that Sri Lanka should improve investor facilitation, including considering 100 per cent foreign ownership in selected sectors such as tourism, agriculture and IT with appropriate safeguards, and pursue similar agreements with other Middle Eastern countries. He said UAE partnerships could benefit ports, aviation, investment and tourism. He also raised concerns about Israeli nationals’ conduct and enforcement issues in areas such as Pottuvil, including the reported opening of a Chabad House near a mosque, and urged Ministers supportive of Palestine to address local concerns for national safety. He welcomed the Cabinet-approved plan to build a Rs. 1,000 million jetty at Valaichchenai and thanked the Government on behalf of the Batticaloa fishing community. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Asitha Niroshana Egoda Vithana JJB AI summary The member argued that agreements with economies such as the UAE support the Government’s efforts to stabilize the country and rebuild the economy, while criticizing the Opposition for raising unrelated issues during the debate. He highlighted the impact of narcotics on youth and said recent major drug seizures and arrests were revealing alleged political links, calling for investigations to proceed without premature party action. He also reported progress on reopening Parliament Grounds and the Pahalawatta grounds for public and youth sports use, noting conditional approval by the Parliament Security Council and related UDA approvals. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary He used the debate on the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates agreement to argue that the Government should first address unresolved commitments to Tamil-speaking citizens, particularly on reconciliation, accountability, and political representation. On behalf of ITAK, he criticized the Government’s UNHRC position, citing the continued use of the PTA, failure to repeal the Online Safety Act, opposition to international accountability mechanisms, lack of international assistance on mass graves such as Chemmani, and delays to Provincial Council elections through the delimitation process. He welcomed India’s call for meaningful devolution and urged the Government to support his Private Member’s Bill to enable immediate Provincial Council elections. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development JJB AI summary The Minister supported the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates investment protection agreement, noting Cabinet approval on 09 February 2025, Sri Lanka’s history of similar agreements, and the requirement for parliamentary approval by a two-thirds majority under Article 157 of the Constitution. He reiterated the Government’s stated position on Palestine and denied allegations that the Government sent a group of journalists to Israel, saying any such visits were arranged independently by media institutions. He also rejected Opposition claims circulated on social media regarding containers and narcotics, and stated that the Government would support CID and law-enforcement action against drug trafficking, smuggling and underworld networks without political protection. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition SJB AI summary Sajith Premadasa condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza as violating UN General Assembly Resolutions 242 and 338 and undermining the internationally supported two-state solution. He described the situation as a humanitarian catastrophe involving attacks on hospitals, civilians and aid workers, and called for Sri Lanka to state its position clearly in defence of human rights. He proposed that the Government engage through the UN Human Rights Council to support the two-state solution, seek an immediate halt to the violence, and, where possible, play a mediating role. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy JJB AI summary Hon. Rajeevan Jeyachandramoorthy supported the Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, presenting it as a means to strengthen investor confidence and future economic cooperation. He argued that Sri Lanka had missed past foreign investment opportunities due to conflict and policy instability, citing Motorola’s decision to invest in Malaysia instead. He highlighted the UAE’s economic transformation, existing bilateral trade and labour ties, and urged Parliament to approve the Agreement to promote investment protection, technology transfer and shared prosperity. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi JJB AI summary Hon. Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi supported the Agreement before Parliament, arguing that foreign investment and an enabling, reformed environment are necessary to strengthen the country’s future. He reaffirmed his side’s longstanding position on Palestinian rights and accused the Opposition of diverting the debate and using issues such as methamphetamine trafficking for political attacks. He said the Government’s responsibility is to rebuild the country following the political change of September 2024 and claimed that change prevented Sri Lanka from worsening into a major drug-affected state. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Hon. Kabir Hashim said the Opposition supports the investment agreement with the United Arab Emirates, but focused his remarks on the situation in Gaza during the ongoing UNHRC session in Geneva. He argued that Sri Lanka should take a clearer humanitarian position against Israel’s actions, citing international statements and measures by other countries, and criticized what he described as silence or hesitation by the Government and some Muslim representatives. He also raised concerns about alleged uneven enforcement in Sri Lanka involving pro-Palestine expression and incidents with Israeli tourists, and urged the Government to link its stance on accountability at Geneva to broader questions of international accountability over Gaza. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (Continued) Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer supported the Sri Lanka-UAE Agreement, arguing that Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, had previously assisted Sri Lanka through housing, health, education and equipment projects, but that smear campaigns and distrust had driven away investors and reduced tourist arrivals. He said the Government was working to restore investor confidence and rebuild economic growth. He also condemned the suffering in Gaza as a humanitarian issue, recalled the impact of the COVID-19 cremation policy on Muslims, and called for responsible media conduct and cross-party support for action against narcotics and underworld networks. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. Dilith Jayaweera SB AI summary Hon. Dilith Jayaweera stated support for the agreement with the UAE, then referred to Sri Lanka’s position at the 60th UNHRC Session opposing external accountability mechanisms. He warned that proposed domestic laws on an Independent Prosecutor’s Office and a Truth-Seeking Commission could replicate external mechanisms, and urged a sincere domestic reconciliation process through credible national institutions, with international observers invited to assess it. He also tabled a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs from the National Organizations Collective, signed by Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake said comprehensive international agreements such as the UAE agreement require two-thirds parliamentary approval, which he described as a constitutional safeguard, and stated the Government had sufficient support to pass it. He highlighted realized FDI of about US$1.015 billion within the past year, attributed improved investor confidence to the current administration, and said an investment protection bill would be brought with the Budget. He also referred to Sri Lanka’s position before the UN Human Rights Council, asserting a non-communal governing policy, and said the Government would pursue criminal infiltration linked to narcotics without political obstruction. He reiterated Government support for a free Palestine while recognizing Israel, and raised concern about Sri Lankan media personnel visiting the Israeli Embassy in India. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. Harini Amarasuriya supported the Sri Lanka-UAE agreement, arguing that it strengthens trade, diplomatic relations, and international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic and political stability, while also benefiting over 300,000 Sri Lankans working in the UAE. She emphasized that the Government’s priority is not merely signing agreements but creating the institutional conditions for implementation, including anti-corruption measures and a strengthened independent public service. Responding to Opposition criticism, she rejected claims that public servants are fearful, stating that officials are being freed from political interference while wrongdoing will be dealt with under the law. She also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to dismantling organized narcotics networks and ending political protection for the drug trade. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva supported the investment protection agreement with the United Arab Emirates, noting it was Sri Lanka’s 29th such agreement and expressing hope it would increase UAE investment. He then urged the Government to take a stronger and more principled position on the Gaza crisis, citing Sri Lanka’s historic recognition of Palestine, its non-aligned foreign policy tradition, and the humanitarian impact of the conflict. He argued that Sri Lanka should actively defend Palestinian statehood and the two-State solution in regional, international, bilateral and multilateral forums. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe JJB AI summary Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe alleged that information relating to criminal rackets, including claims about 80 politicians and undeclared assets, had previously been suppressed, and said those responsible would be exposed and brought before the law. He stated that the Government would not protect criminals and would take action to eradicate the narcotics trade. He also described the UAE-Sri Lanka agreement signed that day as important for investment, citing rising remittances, foreign direct investment, and national income as signs of economic progress. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Namal Rajapaksa, Attorney-at-Law SLPP AI summary Welcoming the Sri Lanka–UAE agreement, Namal Rajapaksa argued that the Government should improve the investment climate and stop making unproven allegations against investors and political opponents. He questioned the Government’s record on foreign direct investment, factory closures, organized crime, shootings, fraudulent passports, and the release of two containers from the port despite alleged intelligence warnings. He demanded impartial investigations and prosecutions into the container incident and organized crime links, rejecting what he described as selective prosecutions, media displays, and attempts to blame the Opposition. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra AI summary Arun Hemachandra urged Members to focus the debate on approving the UAE investment agreement, which he said required a two-thirds majority and would help rebuild investor confidence in Sri Lanka. He argued that past politically driven actions, including the breakdown of arrangements involving Etisalat, Emirates and SriLankan Airlines, damaged confidence and imposed economic costs on the public. He said the agreement provides a reciprocal framework for genuine investments, with dispute resolution through consultation, a joint commission, UNCITRAL procedures and then ICSID if necessary, and called for broad support to pass it as part of a transparent economic recovery strategy. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Ajith P. Perera SJB AI summary Ajith P. Perera criticised what he described as the Government’s double standards on Israel and Palestine, arguing that while Sri Lanka should maintain relations with Israel, it should also uphold its historic support for Palestinian statehood and speak against civilian suffering in Gaza. He welcomed the Sri Lanka–UAE investment promotion and protection agreement as a measure to improve investor confidence, and supported stronger narcotics enforcement, including expedited courts and lawful penalties. He raised concerns over the alleged release of 323 Customs “Red Channel” containers without physical examination in January 2025, citing committee findings that procedures and legal authority were breached and warning of risks involving prohibited goods, narcotics, revenue loss, and national security. He urged implementation of the committee’s recommendations and legal action against those responsible. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera supported the Sri Lanka–United Arab Emirates Agreement on Investment Promotion and Mutual Protection, stating that it would help attract investment in infrastructure, technology, manufacturing and tourism while strengthening investor protection and the legal framework. He rejected claims that public servants are afraid to act, arguing that only corrupt or bad-faith decisions are being challenged, and cited ongoing development projects at Divisional Secretariat level. He said the Government is seeking to reverse past anti-investment practices, rebuild confidence after the financial crisis, and pointed to increased exports, remittances and FDI as evidence of improving economic conditions. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →
- 9 September 2025 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC clarified that public officers travelling abroad privately must obtain prior leave and approvals under Section 12 of the Establishments Code, while official travel requires ministry or departmental authorization. In the context of the Sri Lanka–UAE Agreement, he criticized reported attendance by Sri Lankan officials at a media event in Israel amid the Gaza conflict, arguing it could imply state legitimacy or support. He urged the Government to oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza and to investigate who attended the event and under what authorization. Debate: Agreement between Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates on Investment Promotion and Protection Read →