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- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Government on the lack of answers to his earlier queries regarding online accommodation and payment platforms, including Airbnb and Booking.com. He asked for an update on a payment platform reportedly being developed in Brisbane from March 2025 and due within two years, and raised concerns that offshore settlement of tourism-related transactions is reducing revenue captured in Sri Lanka. He urged the Government to explain how it will prevent such leakages and ensure these financial flows are brought within the domestic system. Oral Question Q.3 (467/2025): Tourist Arrivals from 2010 - Details Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. (Prof.) Ruwan Ranasinghe - Deputy Minister of Tourism JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister provided tourism sector data on behalf of the relevant Minister, including 31 registered star-class hotels with 4,787 rooms, annual tourist arrivals and earnings from 2010 to 2025, average length of stay, repeat visitor estimates, and country-wise arrivals, while noting several categories of data were unavailable with the SLTDA. He reported that tourist arrivals recovered to 2.36 million in 2025 with earnings of USD 3.219 billion, and that repeat visitors account for about 18 per cent of arrivals based on exit surveys. He also identified key weaknesses in the tourism industry, including inadequate provincial attraction planning, limited digitalization and destination marketing, weak coordination, insufficient investment, limited community participation, disaster-risk gaps, and inadequate data, and outlined associated negative impacts on competitiveness, satisfaction, regional development, and sector resilience. Oral Question Q.3 (467/2025): Tourist Arrivals from 2010 - Details Read →
- 5 May 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Hon. Ravi Karunanayake requested detailed data from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism on Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, including hotel capacity and employment by district, Airbnb and Booking.com activity, tourist arrivals and earnings since 2010, tax payments, average stays, repeat visitors, and source-country arrivals from 2020 onward. He also asked the Minister to identify weaknesses and negative impacts in the tourism industry and explain the steps taken to address them. Oral Question Q.3 (467/2025): Tourist Arrivals from 2010 - Details Read →
- 9 April 2026 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem urged the Government to repatriate young Iranian cadets rescued from a ship during the Middle East ceasefire, questioning Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality and the handling of the incident. Turning to the Easter Sunday attacks, he expressed confidence in Shani Abeysekara and Ravi Seneviratne and called for full government and Attorney-General’s Department support for their investigations. He questioned prosecutorial gaps, including the absence of Attorney-General’s officers in court, the handling of evidence from Sara Jasmin, and unexamined matters such as foreign hotel guests, the Vavunativu incident, and Azad Maulana’s Channel 4 claims, urging further investigation under existing legal provisions. Adjournment Debate: Easter Sunday Attack of 21 April 2019 Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Bimal Rathnayake - Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and the Leader of the House of Parliament JJB AI summary Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the Adjournment Debate was intended to inform the public about the Government’s response to an external global war-related shock, including the President’s Rs. 100 billion relief package. He argued that the crisis was not domestically created and that the Government had to manage impacts on fuel, exports, banking, fertilizer imports, the Yala season and other sectors. He stated that from 28 February the President held discussions with exporters, banks, the Central Bank and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, followed by measures such as a moderate fuel price increase on 9 March, introduction of the QR code system on 15 March to reduce consumption, and the appointment of Cabinet committees. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah SLMC AI summary The member welcomed the temporary ceasefire in the Iran–America–Israel conflict and expressed hope that it would become a permanent peace in the Middle East. He congratulated Batticaloa District students for top G.C.E. (A/L) results, especially M.S.M. Fardan of Kattankudy Central College for achieving Island First in the Commerce stream with a record Z-score. He also raised with the Prime Minister the concern of the Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service Officers’ Association that a recently appointed five-member committee to review National Colleges of Education structures included no Muslim member. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. M. Nizam Kariapper, PC SJB AI summary M. Nizam Kariapper criticized the Government’s adjournment motion on the Middle East conflict, arguing that it failed to condemn the United States and Israel for unlawfully creating the war situation and for acting contrary to United Nations agreements. He praised Iran and its people for defending their sovereignty and questioned the silence of Muslim-majority countries, religious leaders, and Muslim Government Members on the issue. He also accused the Government of verbally calling Iran a friendly nation while cooperating with America and Mossad. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Ms.) Lakmali Hemachandra, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Lakmali Hemachandra defended the President’s attendance in Parliament to make clarifications on national issues and rejected Opposition criticism over the coal shipment issue, stating that quality determinations must rely on port and standards reports rather than political claims. She accused Opposition parties of selectively raising corruption allegations while ignoring past controversies, including waste shipments, the Central Bank bond matter, and the Easter Sunday attacks. She also welcomed reported progress toward Iran-America peace talks and said global conflict was affecting Sri Lanka’s energy and food security. She outlined Government relief measures, including Rs. 60 billion for fuel subsidies, targeted support for fishers, Rs. 15 billion for electricity relief for households using under 90 units, and fertilizer support for farmers. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Najith Indika said the Government’s adjournment debate concerned the Middle East crisis and its likely economic and social impact on Sri Lanka, particularly energy supplies, and noted that relief measures including a Rs. 100 billion New Year package and three months of fuel support were being provided without money-printing due to improved fiscal management. He argued that stronger revenue, reserves, a lower deficit, a current account surplus, and stabilized inflation and interest rates had enabled the Government to manage both disaster recovery and external fuel shocks. He rejected opposition criticism on corruption, disaster management, and procurement testing, citing improvements in the Corruption Perceptions Index, ongoing housing support after disasters, and the use of official laboratory-based testing procedures. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Upali Pannilage - Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment JJB AI summary The Minister stated that the debate focused on the Government’s response to the effects on Sri Lanka of the recent Middle East conflict over the preceding six weeks. He emphasized the need to minimize the impact of that situation on the daily lives of the public. Adjournment Debate: Mitigate the Impact of Middle Eastern War on Sri Lanka's Economy Read →
- 8 April 2026 The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake NDF AI summary Ravi Karunanayake questioned the Minister of Finance on modernizing Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange and payment systems to better support tourism, digital services, freelancers, startups and SMEs. He sought details on recognized hard currencies, barriers to using currencies such as the Indian Rupee, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen and Russian Ruble, foreign exchange spreads and profits, and the limited availability of platforms such as PayPal, Wise and Skrill for inward receipts. He also asked about regulation of cryptocurrency activity and raised concerns over an alleged NDB fraud and the Central Bank’s supervisory response. Standing Order 27(2) Question: Digital Payment Platforms in Foreign Exchange Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha said investment incentives would be assessed case by case against national interest criteria such as foreign exchange, employment, technology transfer and infrastructure, replacing blanket tax holidays with a maximum 10-year limit and no extensions. He stated that a 15 per cent minimum tax aligned with BEPS principles is proposed to address profit shifting, while broader investment promotion would depend on political stability, transparency and ease of doing business. He also clarified that SSCL on motor vehicle imports would not cascade on secondary sales, and noted that new Central Bank Act rules allow exporters to invest domestically in dollar bonds. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Rohitha Abeygunawardhana NDF AI summary Rohitha Abeygunawardhana supported the importance of the Port City project but urged the Government to appoint a business-oriented chairperson to attract investors, criticizing the suitability of the current appointment. He linked global instability and the Middle East conflict to economic pressures, and argued that domestic living costs have worsened since the Aragalaya, citing increases in food, gas, fuel, and electricity costs. He called for Provincial Council elections to test the Government’s public support and criticized statements by Government members that he said minimized public hardship. He also requested that the Fisheries Minister table records of assistance paid to multi-day fishing vessels, arguing that current fuel costs have left fisherfolk in serious difficulty. Debate: Social Security Contribution Levy (Amendment) Bill and Related Orders - Continuation (Post-Lunch) Read →
- 7 April 2026 The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation JJB AI summary Cabinet approval has been obtained to conduct a preliminary feasibility study on commencing a passenger ferry service, and related action is under way. The Minister stated that no ferry service is operating at present and that further details can be provided after the feasibility, technical, and environmental assessments are completed. He noted that a 2011 Sri Lanka-India MoU provides for a Joint Committee, which has discussed northern development projects including Talaimannar, and said any approved service could support lower-cost passenger and cargo transport, including for religious pilgrims. Ministry Statement: Direct Ferry Service between Mannar and India Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera JJB AI summary Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera said the Middle East conflict and disruption to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz posed serious risks to Sri Lanka’s economy, energy security and essential services. He defended the Government’s neutral foreign policy and its handling of the Iranian naval vessel incidents, including rescue and repatriation efforts and the refusal of entry to a second vessel on security advice. He also outlined measures for the tourism sector, including special fuel QR arrangements, increased quotas, generator fuel and priority fuel access for tourists, and said an Economic Surveillance Committee was meeting regularly to monitor impacts on vulnerable groups and maintain post-2025 economic stabilization. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. J.C. Alawathuwala SJB AI summary J.C. Alawathuwala noted that Sri Lanka’s foreign income sources, including exports, tourism, and migrant worker remittances, were already under pressure before the recent Middle East conflict. He said over one million Sri Lankan workers are in Middle Eastern countries, listing major host countries, and warned they may face exploitation, hardship, or expulsion similar to situations during the pandemic. He urged the Government to act urgently through Sri Lankan embassies to protect these workers and address their problems, with particular attention to reports from the UAE. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Chamara Sampath Dasanayake NDF AI summary Chamara Sampath Dasanayake questioned the Government’s claims that shortages and economic pressures are easing, arguing that fuel and gas issues persist and that the Middle East conflict could reduce tourism, exports, remittances and reserves by large amounts if it continues. He urged the Government to develop alternative economic plans, clarify claims that Sara Jasmine is alive, and address allegations involving the Bribery Commission. He opposed giving the full Motor Traffic Department database to a third party for a QR system and proposed using revenue licence data instead, while also warning that removing CESS could harm domestic small industries. He further raised concerns about SLAS cadre implications following a court decision and called for gazettes to resume teacher training college intakes to address teacher shortages. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha SJB AI summary Hon. Nalin Bandara Jayamaha urged the Government to respond swiftly to global disruptions from the Gulf conflict by positioning Sri Lanka’s aviation, maritime and petroleum sectors to capture shifting transit, logistics and supply-chain opportunities. He argued that Sri Lanka should learn from past lost opportunities in the oil sector, support domestic LPG supply decisions involving Laugfs, and move stalled policy implementation to address economic pressures and public wellbeing. He also noted Sri Lanka’s decline in the World Happiness Index and concluded by acknowledging the retirement of Parliament telephone operator Sisira Kumara. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe JJB AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Nihal Abeysinghe said the Government had already outlined its response to the current global situation through the President’s March 17 address, media briefing, and statement in Parliament, including its non-aligned foreign policy and plans to manage fuel, LPG, electricity, and essential supplies. He argued that Sri Lanka’s neutrality had received international recognition and that the main domestic risks from the external shock related to imports such as fuel, medicines, fertilizer, wheat flour, and cooking oil. He defended coal procurement procedures, saying quality issues were being handled through contractual remedies such as rejection, penalties, or replacement. He contended that stronger fiscal management in 2025 had improved Sri Lanka’s resilience compared with the COVID-19 and economic crisis periods. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →
- 20 March 2026 The Hon. Hector Appuhamy SJB AI summary Hector Appuhamy questioned whether Sri Lanka’s claimed neutrality amid the war amounts to inaction, urging stronger humanitarian responses and disclosure and parliamentary debate on agreements with the United States and India. He demanded accountability over alleged substandard coal supplies, warned against blaming future power cuts on the war, and called for stronger support for migrant workers and their families. He also urged the Government to negotiate stable fuel arrangements with India and China, present clear future plans rather than statistics, and use fuel tax revenue to provide targeted relief to sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and exports. Adjournment Debate (Continuation): Effects of Current Global Situation on Our Economy Read →