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- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ajith Gihan JJB AI summary Hon. Ajith Gihan supported the Expenditure Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, arguing that the Ministry is central to addressing the dollar crisis through remittances, tourism, investment and improved diplomatic relations. He said the Government is rebuilding trust after past cronyism in diplomatic appointments and corruption in investment and foreign employment processes, and cited migrant remittances of about US$ 7.5 billion and a trade deficit of around US$ 8 billion. He referred to recent action on issues affecting Sri Lankan workers in Italy and outlined expected job opportunities in South Korea, Israel and Japan, while pledging fairer and less corrupt foreign employment administration. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hiruni Wijesinghe, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary The member welcomed the creation of a unified Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and commended its work in strengthening foreign relations, attracting investment and promoting tourism. She highlighted tourism as the third-highest foreign exchange earner, cited targets of over 3 million tourist arrivals in 2025, allocations of Rs. 600 million for tourism-zone infrastructure, and rising tourism investment in early 2025. She proposed expanding beyond traditional destinations through ecotourism, geotourism, medical and research tourism, including development of sites in the North Western Province, old forts, canal routes, Kalpitiya, Puttalam and a new Wilpattu access point via Eluwankulama. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake raised concerns about a Foreign Ministry-linked official now serving as Minister Vijitha Herath’s Private Secretary, alleging past complaints were suppressed and asking the Minister to investigate. He also urged the Tourism Ministry to issue licences to trained driver-tour guides, and called for fairness in selecting workers for Korean employment schemes. Referring to the tabling of the Batalanda Commission Report, he requested that other commission reports, including on the assassination of Vijaya Kumaratunga and killings of SLFP members in 1989, also be tabled, while alleging electoral irregularities in the 1989 Presidential Election in Monaragala District. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Muneer Mulaffer - Deputy Minister of National Integration JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Muneer Mulaffer said foreign employment and tourism are key sources of foreign exchange, noting plans to send 243,100 workers abroad in 2025, mainly to Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with greater attention to worker welfare and children’s education. He argued that Middle Eastern tourist arrivals had fallen sharply since 2018 due to post-2019 policies and related international perceptions, and called for targeted promotion, capable diplomatic appointments, Arabic-language guide training and seasonal marketing to capture that market. He also proposed stronger pre-departure training, including languages, for migrant workers, and highlighted tourism development initiatives such as the “Ruhunu Ring,” whale-watching revival, and rural tourism proposals in Alawwa. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Attorney-at-Law Chamindranee Kiriella AI summary Hon. Chamindranee Kiriella urged the Government to adopt a long-term foreign policy spanning 10 to 15 years, rather than allowing policy shifts based on changes in political ideology. She called for stronger commercial diplomacy, including consideration of performance-based incentives for relevant Foreign Ministry staff to attract investment, and requested action to depoliticize the Foreign Service in line with campaign commitments. She also proposed a pension scheme for female migrant domestic workers, funded through salary deductions and coordinated with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, to provide retirement support when they return to Sri Lanka. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Chamindranee Kiriella, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Chamindranee Kiriella discussed the historical evolution of Sri Lanka’s foreign policy, noting shifts between Western alignment, non-alignment, and anti-Western or ideologically driven positions under successive governments. She argued that frequent changes linked to domestic political priorities have hindered consistency, contrasting this with countries such as China, Malaysia and Singapore that maintained long-term continuity in foreign policy. She urged the Foreign Minister to move toward a long-term foreign policy framework with substantial continuity regardless of changes in government. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra defended the Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Ministry’s performance, arguing that it is restoring public confidence in foreign missions through merit-based appointments, digitization of consular services, and clearing passport backlogs. He cited past corruption allegations involving former ambassadors as context for reforms, and said the eBMD portal now enables overseas issuance of birth, marriage and death certificates while generating foreign exchange. He also outlined steps to strengthen policy preparedness through the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute and to reform foreign employment processes, including reviving E-8 visas through the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency, restoring Italian driving licence conversion recognition, and resuming Italy work visa processes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana SJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Kavinda Heshan Jayawardhana emphasized the need for Sri Lanka to engage pragmatically with international partners, acknowledging assistance from India, China, Japan and Bangladesh during the economic crisis and urging continued engagement with the United States to protect export livelihoods. He called for targeted debt relief for medium-scale tourism entrepreneurs, especially in Negombo, and a lawful mechanism to restore liquor licences for bona fide tourist establishments. He proposed developing health and wellness tourism, improving tourist transport and sanitation, learning from international hospitality and events models, and protecting wildlife and natural assets. He also urged stronger law enforcement to address crime-related security concerns and requested a coherent national tourism policy, offering Opposition input. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. (Mrs.) Hasara Liyanage, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Hasara Liyanage argued that Sri Lanka had lacked a coherent tourism policy and national brand, and said the Government is addressing this through institutional reorganization and the proposed National Tourism Commission. She cited 600,000 tourist arrivals so far in 2025 and highlighted a Rs. 600 million Budget allocation under Clean Sri Lanka to improve sanitation, information centres, rest facilities and basic infrastructure at selected destinations. She emphasized expanding rural benefits through agro-, eco- and integrated tourism, and noted that a longstanding drinking water issue in Bentota is being addressed with expected results by May. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. S.M. Marikkar SJB AI summary Hon. S.M. Marikkar called for a more coordinated tourism strategy focused on increasing arrivals and per-capita spending, including better use of the Tourism Development Levy, centralized promotion through missions and tourism agencies, commercial use of Ratmalana Airport, development of the Negombo–Kalpitiya–Wilpattu tourism corridor, and upgraded wildlife tourism facilities and visitor services. He argued that Sri Lanka should monetize cultural, wildlife and geographic attractions through improved infrastructure, trained guides, taxi networks and marketing, rather than relying on nightlife-related tourism. Referring to the Batalanda Commission Report, he supported action against alleged torturers but urged that accountability be applied comprehensively to all political violence and victims, without selectivity. He also objected to unsupported religious criticism in Parliament and said reforms such as those concerning the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act should be handled through proper expert and religious processes. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary Hon. G.G. Ponnambalam criticized successive governments’ use of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to counter international scrutiny over alleged violations during the ethnic conflict and argued that the current Government has not changed this approach. Citing the 2015 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ recommendation for a hybrid special court, he said any credible accountability process must include international judges, prosecutors, investigators and witness protection, and that a purely domestic mechanism or truth commission without prosecutorial powers would lack victims’ confidence. He also asked the Minister to question the Chinese Ambassador over political comments made in Jaffna and raised concern about reported Chinese proposals for a cultural centre in Jaffna following a visit by China’s National Ethnic Affairs Commission. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation and Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Bimal Rathnayake tabled documents relating to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s September 2023 visit to Wolverhampton and London, arguing that Foreign Ministry funds were used for what was initially described in official correspondence as a private visit. He cited requests and budget allocations amounting to about £40,000, plus related rupee releases, including accommodation, protocol costs, and other expenses, and noted that later internal documentation reclassified the trip as an “Official Programme.” He questioned how public expenditure was incurred for a private visit by the former President and spouse, and requested an investigation and action against responsible officials. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 Hon. Presiding Member AI summary The Presiding Member urged reforms to expand tourism, including better facilities at destinations such as Sigiriya, designated nightlife opportunities with safeguards, support for hotel investors, and improved security to attract higher-spending visitors and increase foreign exchange earnings. He also called for long-term measures to raise remittances by promoting skilled migration and improving welfare, airport facilities, and dignity for returning migrant workers and their families. He requested clarification and investigation into misunderstandings over UAE visit visa procedures raised in COPA, arguing that mischaracterization of lawful migration processes had caused harassment and harmed workers who generate foreign exchange. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala urged the Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister to adopt a consultative approach and consider constructive Opposition proposals, given the importance of these sectors to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery. He noted that war, the Easter attacks and COVID-19 severely affected tourism and remittances, but highlighted the recovery of tourism earnings from 2022 to 2024 and over two million arrivals in 2024. He argued that resolving structural issues in tourism and foreign employment is essential to secure sustainable foreign exchange inflows, especially ahead of increased external debt servicing from 2028. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Vijitha Herath JJB AI summary The Government has decided to grant free visas to nationals of 39 countries and is considering adding Pakistan, with the relevant Gazette to be submitted to Parliament for approval. Regarding Iranian diplomats’ bank accounts, the issue was said to have arisen about a year earlier and been resolved, though the Government will check whether any current difficulties remain. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem commended former MP M.S.M. Nazeer’s service and urged party members to win local-level mandates as a route back to Parliament. He asked the Foreign Affairs Minister to urgently operationalize visa-free entry for listed countries, citing the UAE, and to resolve difficulties faced by Iranian diplomats in opening bank accounts and obtaining credit cards in Sri Lanka. He called for a clearer, modern and balanced foreign policy, especially in the Indian Ocean, with better alignment between security, development and sustainable use of marine resources. He welcomed constructive engagement at the UNHRC but sought substantive action on reconciliation and accountability, including strengthening domestic mechanisms, avoiding surveillance of civil society, and addressing omissions such as the PTA, a Public Prosecutor’s Office, the 13th Amendment and Easter Sunday justice. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa JJB AI summary Hon. Aboobucker Athambawa supported the allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and argued that improved domestic stability and international confidence are increasing tourist arrivals and foreign exchange earnings. He highlighted the Eastern Province’s tourism potential, including Trincomalee, Pasikuda, Arugam Bay, Kumana and related natural and cultural attractions, and proposed upgrading the Pottuvil aerodrome into a runway and developing a rail link from Batticaloa to Pottuvil/Arugam Bay. He also raised concern over the relocation of the Foreign Employment Bureau office from Kalmunai and urged that foreign employment and tourism services be made accessible to people across the Eastern Province. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake urged the Government to provide targeted incentives for high-remitting migrant workers, including higher duty-free allowances and improved airport services, arguing that legal remittances are a major source of foreign exchange. He also called for a stronger tourism strategy to reach higher visitor and revenue targets by 2030, including rapid airport development, expanded international flight frequencies, revival of domestic scheduled air services, and better regulation of online booking platforms to retain foreign exchange locally. He proposed airport information centres, tourist credit card benefits, benchmarking against regional competitors, and reforms to address scams and procedural weaknesses at Cultural Triangle sites and other tourist infrastructure. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake addressed the Ministry’s work amid Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange constraints, commending attention to foreign employment while urging a shift from low-skilled domestic work to officially trained, skilled migration. He proposed strengthening vocational skills, technology training, and English proficiency, citing the Philippines as an example, to increase the value of remittances. He noted that remittances reached US$6.58 billion in 2024 and said current monthly inflows of US$700–750 million could support higher annual foreign exchange earnings if sustained. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →
- 15 March 2025 The Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara questioned whether the Government was adhering to its policy commitment to appoint professional and ethical career diplomats, citing several recalled and replacement heads of mission whom he characterized as political appointments and raising concerns about alleged misconduct affecting female Foreign Service officers. He urged the Government to review diplomatic appointments and prioritize qualified career officers. He also called for legislation to establish a comprehensive Truth-Seeking Commission covering disappearances and violence from 1971, 1983, 1988-89, the war period, and later “white van” abductions, arguing that such a process is needed for accountability, reconciliation, and to allow accused security officials to testify and clear their names. Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025, Twenty-first Allotted Day - Committee Stage, Head 112 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism) Read →