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- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Thanura Dissanayake JJB AI summary Hon. Thanura Dissanayake said the Government’s mandate is to replace superficial and traditional governance with a new political culture developed through public engagement and consensus-building. He argued that, despite Opposition pressure, the administration has already achieved a political shift and must now pursue a planned economic transformation. He said the economic programme should align with global conditions while strengthening the domestic economy, protecting entrepreneurs, maintaining international relations, and ensuring a smooth transition that delivers benefits to the public. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Gnanamuththu Srineshan ITAK AI summary Gnanamuththu Srineshan contrasted Sri Lanka’s post-independence economic standing with its current difficulties, while expressing support for the Government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. He called for action over an alleged assault of a woman at the Periya Neelavanai Police Station after she attempted to lodge a complaint, and urged accountability for the officers involved. He also requested the Health Minister to regularize and improve the pay of Field Mosquito Control Assistants, address long-serving temporary Road Development Authority staff, and fill pending paramedical appointments in shortage areas such as Batticaloa. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Ramalingam Chandrasekar - Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources JJB AI summary Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar responded to remarks by Hon. V. S. Radhakrishnan, stating that constructive suggestions would be considered but rejecting allegations that the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme would ban cosmetics or impose blanket restrictions on three-wheelers. He emphasized close relations with India and said the Government’s objective is to build a “noble country,” with particular attention to upcountry communities and war-affected Tamils in the North and East as key participants in the programme. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. V. S. Radhakrishnan SJB AI summary V. S. Radhakrishnan argued that attracting foreign investment requires peace, stability, and action against corruption and violent crime, while calling for facilitation of major projects such as Port City. He urged the Government to reduce prices of raw rice and coconuts ahead of Pongal, and to implement the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme in a way that does not harm bus, three-wheeler, or small vendor livelihoods. He requested that Glengow Hospital in Hatton be taken under central government control and upgraded following a recent fatal accident, citing staffing shortages and the possibility of further Indian assistance. He also proposed considering a Sri Lanka–India bridge across the Palk Strait to strengthen bilateral relations, tourism, and economic activity. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala JJB AI summary The Hon. Ananda Wijepala stated that the issue of refoulement had not yet been discussed, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had only reported preliminary exchanges with Myanmar authorities. He said further investigation was needed before decisions were made, taking into account available information, the situation, and the concerns raised. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Hon. Rauff Hakeem argued against refouling refugees who arrived by boat, noting that payment for passage does not negate their refugee status and referring to violence in their country of origin. He said returning them, particularly families with small children, would be a serious violation, and proposed arranging transfer to a third country through the UNHCR, as done previously by Sri Lankan governments. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Ananda Wijepala - Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs JJB AI summary Minister Ananda Wijepala responded to concerns raised about 116 Myanmar irregular migrants who entered Sri Lanka, stating that police investigations indicate they paid smugglers for transport and transit, and that investigations are continuing. He said the Government is providing food and essential facilities through the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and will act in accordance with international law and provide humanitarian assistance if they are identified as refugees. He also noted intelligence reports of possible future attempts by up to 100,000 irregular migrants to reach Sri Lanka, and said health checks would be conducted before allowing access to the Human Rights Commission and other institutions. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Attorney-at-Law JJB AI summary Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara responded that investigations into the killing of Lasantha Wickrematunge and other crimes are progressing, with the Government facilitating independent judicial and prosecutorial processes while avoiding comments that could affect arrests. He stated that cases allegedly obstructed under previous administrations are now being pursued diligently. On Rohingya refugees, he said they are being treated humanely and in accordance with the law, with the relevant Minister expected to provide further details. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Rauff Hakeem, Attorney-at-Law SJB AI summary Rauff Hakeem urged the Government not to forcibly repatriate the Rohingya group, noting that it included women and children and warning that such action would damage Sri Lanka’s international reputation. He rejected framing the matter as human trafficking, citing known persecution in Myanmar, and called for the group’s security to be ensured through a humane approach. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 Hon. Nimal Palihena JJB AI summary Hon. Nimal Palihena argued that Sri Lanka’s investment inflows, tax revenue, remittances and foreign exchange management have not delivered the outcomes expected under laws approved since 2005, including those now linked to IMF-related reforms. He said regulations under Acts such as the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, Foreign Exchange Act, Payments and Settlement Systems Act, Ports and Airports Development Levy Act and Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act must be implemented effectively to attract investment, formalize remittances and rebuild reserves. He also called for stronger regulation and taxation of internationally linked activities such as casinos, stating that passing laws alone is insufficient without supervision, revenue collection and corrective amendments. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. G. G. Ponnambalam ACTC AI summary G. G. Ponnambalam raised several issues outside the day’s main topic, urging appointments to the Health Ministry’s Dispenser Service following 2024 interviews, measures to prevent transfers out of the Northern Province, and action to hold overdue Efficiency Bar examinations or grant increments to affected Grade I dispensers. He also called for the restoration of Colombo–Jaffna train services reduced after track repair works, including services from Mount Lavinia via Wellawatte and Bambalapitiya. He further urged the Foreign Minister to secure the repatriation of Sri Lankan citizens reportedly forced into service with the Russian Army. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Import/Export Control Act, Foreign Exchange Act, and Other Acts (continued) Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that the Government supports free trade agreements but intends to review existing agreements to ensure Sri Lanka has the industrial and product development strategies needed to benefit from them. Referring to the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, he said industry concerns include rules of origin and value addition, given Singapore’s role as a trading hub, and said the Agreement would be reviewed rather than rejected. On ETCA, he noted past concerns over the 2018 proposal and said negotiations with India would begin to address such issues, including restrictions on labour mobility and professional access. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Kabir Hashim SJB AI summary Kabir Hashim questioned the Government on delays to the Singapore Free Trade Agreement, noting that it had undergone extensive study and was considered advantageous to Sri Lanka. He asked why the agreement was being held up despite being simpler than the proposed ETCA, and sought the Government’s position on both trade agreements. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister JJB AI summary The Deputy Minister stated that no institution had voluntarily registered under the relevant process, prompting inquiries with the Central Bank about its practicality. He also said that an Order to amend tariff lines under the Ports and Airports Development Levy Act, linked to the Sri Lanka–Singapore Free Trade Agreement and a decision of the previous Government, would not be presented to Parliament that day. He explained that the new Government’s policy is to analyse the Sri Lanka–Singapore FTA and other trade agreements under discussion before proceeding. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development JJB AI summary Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe supported presenting several Gazette orders and regulations for parliamentary approval, noting that many originated under the previous Cabinet but must now be approved within statutory timelines. He attributed the economic crisis to past revenue cuts, weak tax collection, corruption, and borrowing, while stating that tax and revenue adjustments under the IMF programme must be phased and transparently implemented. On the specific measures, he backed import controls to strengthen standards and anti-dumping protections for domestic industry, supported gradual liberalization of foreign exchange repatriation limits up to USD 500,000, and highlighted the need to regulate informal remittance channels such as hawala/hundi due to foreign exchange and anti-money-laundering concerns. Debate: Orders and Regulations under Foreign Exchange Act, Payment Systems Act, and Casino Business Regulation Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary Protection of tourists in Sri Lanka is a state obligation, as any harm can have international repercussions. The security measures in Arugam Bay were based on intelligence about possible threats and were not intended to facilitate unauthorized centres. On entry policy, nationality-based discrimination is not permitted under international law, but persons implicated in war crimes or subject to international sanctions may be barred, and the Government will consider suitable mechanisms for this in future. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Hon. Mujibur Rahman questioned why 24-hour Police or STF protection is being provided to unauthorized constructions. He further asked whether the Government would take steps to prevent IDF members and Israeli soldiers from entering Sri Lanka, citing concerns about their arrival as tourists, reported effects on European tourist arrivals, and restrictions imposed by some other countries. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman questioned why reported Israeli religious and cultural centres, including sites in Weligama, Dehiwala and Colombo, were receiving round-the-clock Police and STF protection despite concerns that they were unauthorized constructions. He cited the detention of a university student near the Dehiwala site and asked what urgent action would be taken, arguing that the matter raised national security concerns in the context of Sri Lanka’s longstanding pro-Palestine position. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. (Ms.) Harini Amarasuriya JJB AI summary 25,514 Israeli nationals visited Sri Lanka in the previous year, but immigration records do not indicate whether any were members of the Israeli Defence Forces. The Minister stated that tourists, including Israelis, are not legally permitted to conduct business or establish industries, and that the Government is preparing measures to address such violations. She said no Israeli nationals had been arrested since 2020 for lacking valid visas, though one is currently held at the Mirihana Detention Centre, and that no official permission has been granted for Israeli religious or similar centres despite reports of unauthorized operations being monitored. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →
- 8 January 2025 The Hon. Mujibur Rahman SJB AI summary Mujibur Rahman raised questions to the Prime Minister on national security and foreign policy following concerns about an incident in Arugam Bay involving Israeli tourists. He sought details on Israeli arrivals, any links to the Israeli Defence Forces, visa compliance, business or investment activity, detentions for invalid visas, and permissions granted for Israeli religious or cultural centres, including their locations and legal basis. Oral Question: Clean Sri Lanka Programme and Related Questions to Prime Minister Read →