Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M.P.
Profession: Economist
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- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva objected to a change regarding a statement previously said to be removed or expunged from the Hansard. He argued that the decision could not now be reversed and that there was no right to state otherwise. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva disputed the prior characterization of a ruling or assurance, stating that the issue was not merely to be “looked into” but that it had been said the relevant remarks would be expunged or removed from the Hansard. His intervention sought clarification on the parliamentary record and the handling of statements in Hansard. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva objected to further discussion of a matter that had reportedly been ordered to be expunged from the Hansard. He insisted that it should not continue to be raised in the proceedings. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva objected to a change in a previously announced decision, insisting that the decision had already been made and stated. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva expressed respect for the Presiding Member’s impartiality and endorsed the decision made. He requested that the matter be discussed with the Speaker before reaching a final decision. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva rose on a Point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question is recorded in the provided text. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva objected to an allegedly false and insulting statement made about Hon. Rohini Kavirathna, a member of his party. He requested that the statement be withdrawn and emphasized that Members should not be insulted in Parliament. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 22 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a Point of Order under Standing Order 82(1), objecting to a Member’s statement that Hon. Rohini Kavirathna had changed her name to “Rohini L. Marathna.” He questioned the basis for the claim, stated that to his knowledge no such name change had occurred, and argued that the Member had no right to make that assertion. Appropriation Bill 2025 - Second Reading Debate (Fifth Allotted Day) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a point of order, stating that another member had attacked him after being given the microphone, and requested 30 seconds to respond. The Speaker directed the House to proceed with the Budget debate. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva concluded his remarks by warning that excessive pride can lead to downfall, urging Members to reflect on that lesson. He then thanked the House for the time allotted before the Speaker called the next Member to speak. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticized the Government’s proposed salary or allowance increase, noting that while his party’s Blueprint had proposed Rs. 57,500 the previous year, the Government had added only Rs. 300. His remarks were cut short when the Chair informed him that his allotted time had expired. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Public Finance Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva acknowledged positive Budget measures such as expenditure cuts, anti-corruption funding, digitalization and improved targeted welfare, but questioned whether the Government had a coherent growth and investment strategy within IMF fiscal constraints. He called for relief to EPF members affected by domestic debt restructuring, citing alleged unfairness compared with relief for foreign investors, and suggested using a parliamentary motion to address it during the Budget process. He warned that debt sustainability would require sustained high growth, criticized continued funding for SriLankan Airlines and proposed electricity sector amendments that may deter private investment, and urged transparent, procedure-based decision-making on projects such as Adani. He argued that the Government must clearly state whether it is pursuing a social market, export-led economic model and align legislation and policy accordingly. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Public FinanceEmploymentInfrastructure Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva requested the Chief Government Whip to grant him an additional 10 minutes to speak. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva warned against government arrogance and intolerance of criticism, citing past incidents and the experience under the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration, while urging the current Government to listen to constructive Opposition input during the Budget debate. He argued that rebuilding the country is a collective parliamentary responsibility and expressed hope that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake would be open to persuasion, referencing a past discussion on sovereign bond restructuring. Opening the 2025 Budget debate for the Opposition, he questioned whether the Budget reflected the Government’s own political-economic programme or continuity with the Treasury-led framework of the previous administration, contrasting it with Dr. N.M. Perera’s ideologically clear 1970 Budget. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Public FinanceCorruption & Governance ReformParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 18 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva commented on the first Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as Minister of Finance, acknowledging the Government’s large parliamentary majority and its ability to pass the Budget. He argued that the JVP-led Government has not been able to deliver on its promises to the public and therefore cannot meet the demands he has raised in relation to the Budget. Adjourned Debate on Second Reading of the 2025 Budget Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 14 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2025 Disbursement Bill to Parliament. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee - Disbursement Bill 2025 Public Finance Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva sought clarification on action taken regarding the incidents in Parliament on 15 November 2018, when Members allegedly climbed on the Chair and hurled objects while then Speaker Karu Jayasuriya was protected by police. He asked for the status of the CID investigation, the relevant report, whether any persons had been found guilty, and what action had been taken, disputing the claim that destruction of public property in Parliament could not be prosecuted. Ministerial Statement: Wind Power Plant Tender Process in Mannar Parliamentary ProcedureLaw & OrderJustice & Human Rights Read →
- 6 February 2025 AI summary Presented the Committee on Public Finance report on regulations under the Intellectual Property Act relating to geographical indications, noting that such regulations must also come before the Committee when levies or fees are involved. He said the joint reporting process was intended to address concerns raised by the previous Parliament’s visa outsourcing matter involving GBS Technology Services and IVS Global-FZCO, where financial aspects had not initially come before the Committee. He referred to a 665-page committee report and a Supreme Court injunction connected to that issue, and urged that the matter be looked into further. Papers Presented Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 5 February 2025 AI summary Laid before Parliament several Committee on Public Finance reports, including on the 2024 Pre-Election Budgetary Position Report, import and export control regulations, a Foreign Exchange Act order, the breach of the inflation target, and a Central Bank presentation under the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act. He noted that inflation had fallen outside the agreed 5 percent target band, with January inflation below negative 4 percent, requiring a report to Parliament and discussion on monetary policy responses, exchange rate effects, vehicle import liberalization, and demand recovery. He stated that the Central Bank expects inflation to return to target by the third quarter of 2024 and requested the Speaker’s intervention to provide the Committee with its mandated Technical Secretariat support. Papers: Tabling of Reports and Orders Public Finance Read →
- 24 January 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva offered condolences on the deaths of Hon. Rukman Senanayake, Hon. A. A. Reginald Perera, Hon. Sirinal de Mel, and Hon. (Dr.) I. M. Ilyas, with particular remarks on Sirinal de Mel’s role in the UNP trade union movement and his family’s continued political involvement. He then focused on Rukman Senanayake’s 1976 expulsion from the UNP, citing contemporary newspaper reports and Senanayake’s own statement disputing the charges against him and linking the dispute to internal opposition to J. R. Jayewardene’s leadership. He said Senanayake’s political career illustrated the difficulty of standing by one’s beliefs in politics, and conveyed condolences to his family and political associates. Votes of Condolence: Rukman Senanayake, A.A. Reginald Perera, Sirinal de Mel, and Dr. I.M. Ilyas Parliamentary Procedure Read →