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Sri Lanka
10th Parliament· 154 sittings on record · 30,475 speeches · latest 10 June 2026

Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB)· Colombo

Profession: Economist

Roster profile ↗
Speeches 295 #15 of 225·#6 in party
Attendance 6/8 days present (of recorded)
Top topic Parliamentary Procedure 167 speeches
Last spoke 10 June 2026 in Debate

Activity by sitting

86 sittings · counts only, no scoring.

Topic focus

AI summary AI-assigned tags, 1–3 per speech. Counts only — not a score.

Speech history

295 speeches
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva questioned why a further tender for plastic carbon cards was being pursued while PVC card procurement was already under evaluation. He argued that legal requirements such as a ten-year card validity period should be amended to keep pace with technological change, citing the outdated Customs Ordinance as an obstacle to establishing a Single Window system. He supported consolidating the work under one Ministry but urged legislative reform to enable digital infrastructure, authentication, verification, and related systems to function effectively. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Law & OrderInfrastructure Read →
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva briefly indicated that he had a minor matter to raise. No substantive issue, proposal, or question was stated in the provided excerpt. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged that the proposed digital ID system be developed into a broader “Sri Lanka Stack” similar to India Stack, enabling consent-based digital verification and linked public and private services. He noted concerns about new taxes on software, the need for customized foundational ID services, proper vendor procurement, and legislative changes to support digital infrastructure. He also called for regulation of cross-border e-commerce, including clearing channels and de minimis rules, while expressing support for a MOSIP-based foundational ID under the Ministry of Digital Economy. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva expressed support for building Sri Lanka’s digital public infrastructure, including a biometric-backed digital identity system based on the open-source MOSIP model, and welcomed the involvement of experts such as Dr. Hans Wijesuriya. He argued that a secure unique digital identity could improve authentication, reduce public finance leakages, and better target services and subsidies, rejecting concerns that such systems would transfer biometric data to India by citing the experience of the 1990 Suwa Seriya service. He questioned the parallel effort to issue a new digital version of the existing physical National Identity Card, saying it may be unnecessary and a waste of money if a foundational biometric digital ID system is being developed. Appropriation Bill, 2025 – Committee Stage Debate (Heads 186, 196, 227) Public FinanceJustice & Human RightsForeign Affairs Read →
  • 11 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on three referred instruments: regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, an order under the Finance Acts of 2012 and 2013, and an order under the Regulation of Insurance Industry Act. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Reports Presented Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 5 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report covering the 2025 Budget and economic situation, priority investment projects for 2025-2027, the Citizens’ Budget 2025, and the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy and Annual Borrowing Plan for 2025. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Papers Presented: Annual Reports and Committee Reports Public Finance Read →
  • 4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Ministry of Finance to act on recommendations made by the Committee on Public Finance regarding online casinos. He said he had raised the issue under both the current and previous Governments, disputed claims that no online casinos operate, and warned that such operations may be generating very large daily revenues similar to offline casinos. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Public Finance Read →
  • 4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva made a brief intervention indicating he wished to add one further point. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or question was stated in the excerpt provided. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned why taxes should not be imposed on the relevant group or entities being discussed. The remark indicates support for applying taxation as part of the policy debate, though the excerpt does not provide further context on the specific tax, sector, or legislative matter. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Public Finance Read →
  • 4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s proposal to tax online service exporters, contrasting it with the absence of taxation on online casinos. He asked why online casinos are not being charged even a 5 per cent tax while online workers could face a 15 per cent tax, urging the Deputy Minister to address this apparent disparity. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Public Finance Read →
  • 4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva sought permission, with the Deputy Minister’s agreement, to ask a brief clarification. No substantive policy issue or proposal was raised in the excerpt. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 4 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva sought to raise a point of order under Standing Order No. 91(b). No substantive policy argument or proposal was included in the statement. Ministerial Statement: Online Safety Act and tax on export services Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 3 March 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned the Government’s policy direction for the electricity sector, asking whether it intended to create a market-based structure or retain the single-buyer model, and cited CEB’s shift from a Rs. 298 billion loss in 2022 to significant profits after cost-reflective tariff adjustments. He criticized the process for amending the 2024 Electricity Act, tabling the Cabinet decision of 23 January 2025 and arguing that the appointed review committee lacked legal, financial, regulatory and investment expertise while including members with potential conflicts of interest. Referring to observations made by the President as Minister of Finance, he urged wider stakeholder and public consultation, reconsideration of the committee’s composition, and adherence to established procedures before proceeding with electricity sector reforms. Committee Stage Debate: Appropriation Bill 2025 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 28 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva re-tabled the Committee on Public Finance report on outsourcing online visa and passport application services between the consortium and the Department of Immigration and Emigration. He noted that a court case had arisen from the earlier report and that procedural follow-up in the new Parliament had not yet occurred. He said a requested forensic audit by the Auditor-General was believed to be nearing completion and urged Parliament to take necessary action thereafter, including directing the Police and relevant officials to proceed. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Committee Stage Debate Continued (Afternoon) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 27 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2025 Appropriation Bill under Standing Order No. 121(5)(11), noting that it assesses whether budget allocations align with Government policy priorities such as education. He said the Committee had prepared the 50-page report without dedicated technical support and stressed that, unlike COPE and COPA, it requires a technical team rather than only a consultant to conduct effective scrutiny of Bills, regulations, and budget estimates. He also recorded the Committee’s thanks to the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka and named researchers who assisted with the report. Papers: Ministerial Notifications and Reports (Excise Ordinance, Foundation and Corporate Reports, Public Finance Committee Report) Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 25 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2025 Appropriation Bill, covering the fiscal, financial and economic assumptions underlying estimated revenue and expenditure, and said a further report on allocations and policy compliance would be presented before the Committee Stage. He outlined the report’s analysis of the legislative framework, macroeconomic projections, revenue strategy, expenditure increases and debt sustainability, noting growth of 3 to 5 per cent, inflation returning to 5 per cent, and risks from trade, geopolitics and climate factors. He said revenue projections depend heavily on indirect taxes and vehicle imports to meet IMF EFF targets, while expenditure is expected to rise due mainly to resumed foreign-funded capital projects after debt restructuring. Papers Presented Public Finance Read →
  • 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva stated that a woman was on the telephone, was watching proceedings, and had been wronged. The brief remarks do not identify the person, provide details of the alleged wrong, or make a specific proposal or demand. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Justice & Human Rights Read →
  • 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva challenged Hon. Nalin Hewage’s denial that he had claimed a Toyota Vitz could be imported for about Rs. 1.2 million, citing a Newswire article dated 2 November 2024. He placed the article in the Library and said it referred to removing taxes and other barriers to make such an import possible. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Public Finance Read →
  • 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva insisted on continuing his point of order and requested additional time from the Chair to complete it. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva briefly maintained that he was continuing on a point of order and remarked that the preceding conduct reflected responsible action. No substantive policy proposal or legislative argument was made in the excerpt. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →