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- 7 August 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary India and China were identified as major potential tourism markets, and the Government is preparing programmes to attract travellers from those countries. The speech also stated that the economy is stabilizing and called for unity in building a prosperous nation. Adjournment Debate: Current Economic Status of the Country Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister stated that Sri Lankan fishing vessels entering foreign waters have led to detentions in countries including Mauritius, Maldives, and particularly India’s Tamil Nadu. He said all relevant vessels have Vessel Monitoring System devices, but some crews switch them off, and the Government is increasing attention to this issue. He added that compensation would be provided where VMS data shows no illegal conduct, and that assistance may also be given for repairs to affected vessels. Oral Question: E.L. Irfan and K.S. Nishfar - Compensation for Boat Accident (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary The Minister stated that compensation for affected or deceased fishermen has been increased from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 1,000,000. He explained that Sri Lankan boats detained in Tamil Nadu, including Nagapattinam, are held by Indian authorities as case properties pending legal proceedings, and that the Government is pursuing their release through the Indian Consulate and dialogue. He added that compensation will be provided where released boats are found to be damaged. Oral Question: E.L. Irfan and K.S. Nishfar - Compensation for Boat Accident (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 The Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe SLMC AI summary Hon. M. S. Uthumalebbe acknowledged ministerial efforts to repatriate a fisherman and initiate compensation for a deceased fisherman’s family. He asked what compensation is payable when fishermen die at sea and requested arrangements to recover boats moored in Nagapattinam for several months, return them to owners, and compensate affected fishermen. Oral Question: E.L. Irfan and K.S. Nishfar - Compensation for Boat Accident (Q.4/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper asked the Prime Minister whether Members of Parliament representing the Eastern Province had been given an opportunity to submit proposals under the process connected to the India–Sri Lanka MoU. The question followed his first supplementary and sought clarification on regional parliamentary participation in that process. Oral Question: Projects Approved with Indian Government Assistance - Eastern Province (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya clarified that her earlier answer was limited to projects under the MoU signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit, as that was the scope of the Member’s question. She stated that Government development plans for the Eastern Province extend beyond those projects, with separate budgetary allocations for 2024, 2025 and 2026, and that provincial officials and public representatives have been asked to submit proposals following consultations. Oral Question: Projects Approved with Indian Government Assistance - Eastern Province (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 7 August 2025 Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper asked the Prime Minister and Minister of Education to provide details of all approved Indian-assisted projects in the Eastern Province under the MoU signed during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Sri Lanka. He requested information on how each project was identified and approved, whether stakeholders were consulted, and the names and details of those consulted, or reasons if no consultation occurred. Oral Question: Projects Approved with Indian Government Assistance - Eastern Province (Q.3/2025) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister responded to remarks by Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen concerning Arugam Bay and Israel, stating that the issue predated the current Government and traced it to support given under a previous UNP Government. He noted continuing concerns in the Arugam Bay area, including among doctors and other stakeholders, and urged that political debate be conducted without racism or religious extremism while upholding a Sri Lankan identity. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen SJB AI summary Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen raised concerns during the debate on the Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill about the proposed wind power project in Mannar, saying local communities and representatives had not been adequately consulted despite ongoing protests. He said residents were not opposed to renewable energy or development, but objected to projects that affect fisheries, tourism, livelihoods and future economic prospects without providing local benefits, and requested that the project be shifted from Mannar Island to suitable mainland areas. He also criticized what he described as unequal treatment of foreign nationals, alleging preferential access for Israelis while Indian workers were deported, causing difficulties for farmers in harvesting. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar argued that the electricity sector reforms amount to accelerated unbundling and potential privatization despite government denials, and questioned how the proposed transmission upgrades requiring US$5 billion would be financed. He raised concerns over the Cabinet-approved Sahasdanavi plant assumptions on diesel prices, exchange rates and generation costs, and asked on what basis incentives had been granted. He also alleged increasing Israeli-linked activity in areas such as Pottuvil, Arugam Bay and Sinnavillu, urging the Government to act on visa, land-leasing and security concerns. He further called for the removal of the Ministry Secretary from the chairmanship of LTL Holdings due to a potential conflict of interest, proposing that an Additional Secretary be appointed instead. Debate: Sri Lanka Electricity (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading, Committee and Third Reading Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka urged the Government not to discriminate among investments based on which administration secured them, emphasizing the importance of foreign remittances, FDI, and tourism receipts to the economy. He asked the Prime Minister to state the largest foreign direct investments received during the year and their values. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. D.V. Chanaka SLPP AI summary Hon. D.V. Chanaka said the Prime Minister’s statement clarified that the “Supreme Sat” project did not involve any Sri Lankan public investment, contrary to allegations that USD 300 million had disappeared. He argued that recent claims by Government MPs about the project and the President’s children were false and harmful to investor confidence, while noting broader FDI figures since 2005. He asked whether the Government condones the use of parliamentary privilege to make allegations that could discourage investment. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya - Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education JJB AI summary Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya responded to questions raised by Hon. D.V. Chanaka on Sri Lanka’s foreign direct investment, providing annual FDI figures from 2005 to May 2025 and noting that detailed sector-wise data had been placed in the Library. She stated that Supreme Sat entered into a BOI agreement in 2012, invested Rs. 12,104.936 million in 2013/14 for a communications satellite initiative, and that no Government funds were invested according to the application. She also outlined the project’s BOI status, ownership structure as of 2019, commencement of commercial operations in 2015, and reported revenues accruing to Sri Lanka from 2015/16 to the first half of 2023. Ministerial Statement: Response to Question on Foreign Direct Investment (2025-07-09) Read →
- 6 August 2025 The Hon. Wijesiri Basnayake JJB AI summary Wijesiri Basnayake presented, on behalf of the Chairperson of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, the Committee’s report on three documents referred to it: the 2023 Performance Reports of the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, and the 2022 Annual Report of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers: Tabling of Annual and Performance Reports Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Ajith Gihan asked the Minister to address Indian bottom trawling and reports of narcotics and contraband being brought in by large boats, noting difficulties in thoroughly inspecting such vessels. He requested a special short-term integrated operation in the affected zone and an expedited action plan to enable arrests. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 5 August 2025 The Hon. Susantha Kumara Nawarathna JJB AI summary Asked whether the Ministry would take stronger action against foreigners who remain in Sri Lanka after their visas expire, noting that the Minister’s earlier reply acknowledged a large number of overstayers and that reports of such cases continue. Oral Questions: Education, Energy, President's Fund, Western Provincial Council Vehicles, Public Security, Pirivena Education, Hospitals in Matara, Land Settlement, Coastal Patrol, and Marawila Schools Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem paid tribute during condolence motions to former MPs Aberatna Pilapitiya, Lucky Jayawardena, W.B. Ekanayake, Malini Fonseka and R. Sampanthan, recalling their parliamentary, provincial, ministerial and public contributions. He highlighted Pilapitiya’s role in UNP politics in Sabaragamuwa, Jayawardena’s service in Kandy and Udunuwara, Ekanayake’s work in the North Central Province, and Fonseka’s enduring contribution to Sinhala cinema and her collegial conduct in Parliament. He gave particular emphasis to Sampanthan, describing him as a statesman and leading Tamil parliamentary figure, noting his role in the TULF, post-1983 politics, the Indo-Lanka Accord process, the formation of the TNA, and his insistence that any North-East merger required Muslim consent. Condolence Debate: Late Hon. Members (R. Sampanthan, A. Pilapitiya, W. B. Ekanayake, Lucky Jayawardana, Malani Fonseka) Read →
- 25 July 2025 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha asked about the status of efforts to explore and develop gas and oil deposits in the Mannar Basin, citing past drilling by Cairn Lanka, subsequent data acquisition, and later attempts by an Indian company to proceed. He requested clarification on whether the Government has begun a work plan, procurement process, technology-based approach, or joint venture with foreign technical support to access these resources. Oral Question: Gulf of Mannar - Exploration of Gas and Oil (Q.199/2024) Read →
- 24 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on Orders under the Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties Act, No. 2 of 2018. He urged that a National Tariff Policy be developed as part of a broader National Trade Policy, noting current international trade discussions, and also highlighted the need to proceed with legislation to establish an International Trade Office. He further informed Parliament that the Committee had trialled AI technology to generate minutes, summaries and reports, and requested consideration of its wider use across parliamentary committees. Papers: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana linked the Companies (Amendment) Bill to the need to protect investment, exports and GSP+ access, while urging vigilance against terrorism financing and illicit business proceeds, citing the Easter attacks. He raised concerns over public security after a shooting in Marawila, and questioned delays by the NMRA in registering locally produced pharmaceuticals for export, arguing that export earnings are needed for future debt servicing. He also called for renewed accountability over the Easter attacks, referred to alleged intelligence failures and disclosures made in the House, and said the Deputy Minister of Defence should resign or be removed if relevant allegations are substantiated. He rejected claims that the Catholic Church requested leave for named investigators, warning against attributing false positions to the Church. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →