Hon. Vijitha Herath - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

## Summary Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra defended the Government's economic management, attributing a new regulation to improved economic and foreign exchange stability achieved over the past 18 months, contrasting this with the severe economic crisis of two to three years prior. He alleged that recent fuel supply disruptions were artificially manufactured by Opposition-linked entities, citing a specific case in Gomarankadawala where an Opposition-run cooperative petrol shed had not placed its supply order, and argued the public had rejected attempts to destabilise confidence in the Government. Addressing the ongoing Middle East crisis, he outlined the Foreign Ministry's response measures, including the activation of embassy hotlines, establishment of a ministerial operations centre, coordination with agencies such as IOM, and the issuance of two formal statements on 28 February 2026 calling for restraint and de-escalation and providing consular guidance. He reported that two Sri Lankan nationals had sustained injuries but had since returned home following treatment.

## Summary Minister Vijitha Herath defended the government's declaration of a state of emergency following Cyclone Dithwa, arguing it was necessitated by the inadequacy of the Disaster Management Act and the seven-year lapse in convening the National Council for Disaster Management, which had rendered normal statutory procedures inoperable. He explained that emergency powers were essential to enable cross-boundary deployment of military, police, and equipment from distant districts to areas with severed road access, which would have been legally impossible under ordinary administrative rules. The Minister rejected opposition claims that emergency powers had been used to suppress protests or media freedom, citing ongoing doctor strikes and daily media criticism as evidence, and noted that parliamentary privilege matters fall under Standing Orders rather than emergency regulations. He also reported record tourist arrivals of 277,000 in January despite cyclone damage, attributed partly to emergency-enabled designation of tourism as an essential service, and cited a World Bank interim estimate of USD 4.1 billion in economic damage from the disaster.

Minister Vijitha Herath responded to the Leader of the Opposition by recounting his 2005 decision, as Minister of Cultural and National Heritage, to block a proposed commemorative event marking 500 years since Portuguese colonial rule in Sri Lanka, despite support from the Portuguese Ambassador and then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Instead, he demanded the return of plundered artifacts and compensation for loss of life and property. He noted that the Netherlands has since returned artifacts on two occasions with further returns agreed, and indicated that the government is pursuing a systematic approach to heritage repatriation and, when appropriate, economic reparations, suggesting the Opposition's proposal aligns with actions already underway.

## Summary Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath responded to a question raised under Standing Order 27(2) regarding UK sanctions imposed in March 2025 on four Sri Lankan individuals, including three former military commanders, for alleged human rights violations during the civil war. The Minister argued that these are unilateral measures under UK domestic law and are not legally binding on Sri Lanka, as only Sri Lankan courts or internationally recognised tribunals hold legitimate jurisdiction over criminal responsibility determinations. He stated that he met the British High Commissioner on 26 March 2025 to formally express Sri Lanka's objection, conveying that the sanctions complicate national reconciliation efforts and sought clarification on whether the timing was influenced by UK domestic political considerations. The Minister contextualised the UK action within a broader pattern of unilateral sanctions by the USA (2020, 2021, 2024) and Canada (2023), and affirmed that the Government does not condone such measures, will pursue diplomatic channels to safeguard sovereignty, and maintains that past human rights violations should be addressed through domestic accountability mechanisms.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Vijitha Herath, informed the House that the Ministry had already issued an official statement regarding an unspecified matter and announced his intention to visit an Embassy at 1.30 p.m. that day to sign a condolence book, assuring Parliament that appropriate actions were being taken on behalf of the country.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath responded to the Leader of the Opposition by reaffirming the government's preparedness for potential adverse developments while simultaneously pursuing a positive resolution to an unspecified situation. He called on the Opposition to refrain from politicising the matter, urging a unified national approach, and referenced a statement made by the President the previous day as the basis for the government's position.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath addressed concerns about the Strait of Hormuz's potential impact on Sri Lanka's fuel supply, stating that current crude oil stocks are sufficient until August and that the strait does not presently pose a significant disruption. He assured Parliament that contingency plans and arrangements are in place should global production or supply flows be adversely affected.

## Summary Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath outlined Sri Lanka's response to the escalating Middle East conflict, reaffirming the government's position calling for maximum restraint, de-escalation, and a negotiated settlement, and noting that President-level diplomatic engagement — including telephone calls with UAE leadership and planned further calls with heads of state — was already underway. The Minister confirmed that Sri Lankan naval and air force units responded to a distress call from the sinking Iranian Navy vessel *IRIS Dena* outside Sri Lanka's maritime boundary early that morning, rescuing approximately 30 persons in serious distress from a reported complement of around 180, with the injured transferred to Karapitiya Hospital; he noted this action was obligatory under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (1979). Regarding the welfare of Sri Lankan nationals abroad, the Minister reported approximately one million Sri Lankans employed across Middle Eastern countries, with the largest concentrations in Kuwait (322,437), Saudi Arabia (242,593), and Qatar (203,182). He detailed the establishment of a 24/7 Emergency Operations Unit within the Ministry, coordination with overseas missions, and the activation of the Foreign Employment Bureau hotline (1989) and WhatsApp contact, noting that around 30 enquiries had been received since 28 February and that repatriation assistance was being arranged for Sri Lankans stranded in Saudi Arabia and Oman.