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- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns over the Companies Registrar’s malfunctioning online system, questioning vendor arrangements and urging a stable, scalable platform to restore faster company registration and improve ease of doing business. He also warned that proposed Foreign Exchange Act and Companies Act provisions on outward investment limits and beneficial ownership could deter foreign investors if applied impractically. He called for more economically rational policies on renewable energy, LNG procurement, trade agreements, market access, para-tariffs, and infrastructure project delays, arguing that economic management should be driven by cost, investment, and competitiveness rather than political considerations. Debate: Companies (Amendment) Bill – Second Reading Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan ITAK AI summary Hon. Sivagnanam Shritharan raised a Standing Order 27(2) question on delays in rehabilitating Kankesanthurai Port, noting its historical role and potential to expand trade with India, tourism, exports and foreign exchange for the Northern and Eastern Provinces. He asked why work has not begun despite a reported US$65 million Indian grant and a completed Environmental Impact Assessment, and whether inter-departmental issues over environmental approvals are causing the delay. He sought details on government plans for the port, the expected commencement and completion dates of rehabilitation, and the timeline for starting shipping services. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Kankesanthurai Port Renovation Delay Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake began to raise concerns regarding issues faced by exporters in relation to United States policy. The excerpt is too brief to identify any specific proposal, question, or demand beyond indicating that export-related policy concerns were to be addressed. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Kankesanthurai Port Renovation Delay Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to retain the SVAT mechanism until e-filing and VAT-1 automation are fully operational, citing the short implementation timeline and risks to exporters’ cash flows if VAT is payable upfront. He said exporters already face high interest rates, taxes, utility costs, tariff pressures, and anti-dumping-related cost issues, and asked that the IMF be informed that export-sector protection is necessary. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake raised concerns under Standing Order 27(2) about the planned abolition of the Simplified VAT scheme from 1 October 2025, reportedly linked to IMF EFF commitments, and its replacement with a 45-day VAT refund system. He argued that exporters face serious cash-flow risks due to past Inland Revenue refund delays, new US tariff pressures, and possible loss of competitiveness, and asked what safeguards, audit mechanisms, impact assessments, and transition policies the Government has prepared. He also requested that IMF recommendations and the Government’s abolition plan be presented to Parliament, and asked whether bridging facilities such as credit lines, VAT offsets, or interim payment channels would be provided for MSMEs and exporters. Procedural: Standing Order 27(2) – Simplified VAT (SVAT) Abolition Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe JJB AI summary Plans for tourism development will involve the Ruhunu Tourism Agency and aim to cover attractive tourist areas across Sri Lanka. District Coordinating Committees, particularly tourism subcommittees, are being used to review proposals, with two days to be allocated in the Southern Province for discussion and decision-making. Oral Question: Tourism Zones in Matara District (Q.6/2025 – 866/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Deputy Minister stated that 24 Tourism Development Areas have been gazetted nationally, including approximately 1,040.75 hectares in the Matara District. He outlined key tourist attractions in and around Matara, Weligama, Mirissa, Gandara, Kottegoda and Dikwella, and acknowledged tourism potential in the Kotapola and Pitabeddara Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions. He said any declaration of Kotapola and Pitabeddara as a Tourism Development Area must follow the standard process of identifying need, attractions and boundaries, consulting stakeholders, and issuing public notification, with a decision needed on whether to add them to the existing Matara City area or a proposed future Deniyaya area. Oral Question: Tourism Zones in Matara District (Q.6/2025 – 866/2025) Read →
- 23 July 2025 The Hon. Lal Premanath JJB AI summary Hon. Lal Premanath asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism for details on tourism zones in Sri Lanka and recognised tourist attractions in the Matara District, including which have been gazetted as tourist destinations. He specifically sought information on attractions in the Kotapola and Pitabeddara Divisional Secretaries’ Divisions and asked whether the Government intends to designate a tourist zone covering those areas, what steps have been taken, and, if not, the reasons. Oral Question: Tourism Zones in Matara District (Q.6/2025 – 866/2025) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku JJB AI summary Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku clarified that the wording of the Question, which referred broadly to services “between India and Sri Lanka,” led officials to address the overall ferry service rather than a narrower matter. He stated that this was the reason for the misunderstanding. SO 27(2) Question: Ferry Service Thalaimannar-Rameswaram Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam ITAK AI summary Hon. Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam urged the Government to expedite the proposed Mannar–Rameswaram ferry service, noting that India was willing to assist. He argued that this shorter route would be more viable than the KKS–Karaikal service and, together with the rail link, would support economic development in the Northern Province. SO 27(2) Question: Ferry Service Thalaimannar-Rameswaram Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan sought clarification from the Deputy Minister specifically regarding the Thalaimannar–Rameswaram service, indicating that his question concerned that route rather than a broader issue. SO 27(2) Question: Ferry Service Thalaimannar-Rameswaram Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan DTNA AI summary Hon. Amirthanathan Adaikkalanathan raised a question under Standing Order 27(2) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism regarding the proposed resumption of the Thalaimannar–Rameswaram ferry service between Sri Lanka and India. He noted that the matter has been discussed repeatedly, including in Parliament, and asked what progress has been made, particularly in light of India’s reported readiness to assist. SO 27(2) Question: Ferry Service Thalaimannar-Rameswaram Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra stated that the Government is working to strengthen welfare and protection for Sri Lankan migrant workers through coordination between foreign affairs, foreign employment, and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. He said committee reports are being examined and reforms will be introduced to better protect citizens employed overseas. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested the Deputy Minister to take action within the next few days to secure certain advantages for Sri Lanka. He made the request following guidance from the Speaker. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to pursue trade agreements and market-access opportunities, particularly with the US and UK, to retain employment and attract investors to Sri Lanka. He called for tax incentives, removal of para-tariffs, and duty-free measures to complement UK market access, while also safeguarding GSP negotiations and ensuring workers benefit from increased investment. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra JJB AI summary Arun Hemachandra stated that lengthy annexures had been tabled due to time constraints. He acknowledged past irregularities related to remittance channels and insurance, and said a committee comprising the Ministry’s foreign employment division and the SLBFE is reviewing welfare-related matters, including insurance terms and interest rate benefits, for appropriate decisions. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary On behalf of the Minister, the Deputy Minister provided data on foreign employment registrations, the estimated 1,345,801 Sri Lankans employed overseas as of 25 February 2025, and remittances from 2015 to May 2025 amounting to USD 67,147 million, or LKR 13,946 billion. He stated that detailed remittance breakdowns are held by the Central Bank, that repatriations following complaints over breached employment contracts were recorded but no deportations, and that migrant workers are charged only a registration fee while receiving free insurance cover. He further reported that the SLBFE received Rs. 296,292,806 in insurer commissions from 2015 to 2024, while Rs. 803,132,052 was paid as compensation or benefits under the insurance scheme. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 22 July 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism to provide data on Sri Lankans employed overseas as of 31 December 2024 and currently. He requested, for each year from 2015 to date, details on remittances from foreign employment in US dollars and Sri Lankan rupees, source countries, deportations due to contract defaults, action taken for affected workers, and income and expenditure under the migrant worker insurance scheme. Oral Question: Migrant Workers - Remittances (Q.6/2024) Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary Thanura Dissanayake stated that the Government supports shifting the economy toward wider production and regional participation, arguing that youth employment and entrepreneurship require planned support for new products and markets. He said past production and trade had been concentrated among a limited group, leaving some provinces with weak GDP contributions, and called for expansion across all regions including the North, East, and Central highlands. He noted that a national entrepreneurship development policy is lacking and said the Government is preparing an integrated strategic framework this year, while also referring to trade diplomacy such as reduced US tariffs and UK tariff preferences as ways to expand opportunities. Private Members' Motion No. 4: Making Every Youth Gainfully Employed Read →
- 11 July 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha - Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development JJB AI summary Dr. Anil Jayantha said co-operative rural banks are not licensed “banks” under the Banking Act unless they conduct banking business with Central Bank authorization, and warned that excessive involvement in finance without safeguards has created risks. He stated that the Government has Cabinet approval for a committee to examine how to broaden co-operative activity, including finance, while strengthening regulation through provincial authorities and the Department of Co-operative Development. He also rejected claims about the scale of co-operative funds, referred to ongoing work on US tariff negotiations, and said the Government’s aim is to expand co-operatives within a stable fiscal and monetary framework. Private Members' Motion No. 1: Co-operative Rural Banks Supervision Read →