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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
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised concerns about a Ministry website document showing a procurement figure of 15 million and questioned whether that figure had been changed. He argued that procurement processes must be transparent and said the matter would need to be examined, emphasizing that tender details should not be altered arbitrarily. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Public FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
  • 26 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva supported the development of digital public infrastructure and referred to the IPS “State of the Economy 2025” report, but urged that digitalisation be designed with safeguards for democracy, human rights, transparency and Sri Lanka’s post-war context. He called for wider public consultation, including a Parliamentary Select Committee, and asked how the Digital Sri Lanka programme would reconcile with the Online Safety Act and the Personal Data Protection Act. He criticised the lack of publicly available Sinhala and Tamil documentation on the programme and requested inclusive communication before implementation. He also questioned the reported tender for 15 million pre-printed polycarbonate ID cards, asking whether such a quantity and format are necessary if the country is moving to a digital identity system. Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 - Committee Stage, Sixteenth Allotted Day Public FinanceForeign AffairsJustice & Human Rights Read →
  • 24 November 2025 AI summary The Committee on Public Finance tabled its report on two sets of Civil Aviation-related regulations and noted that the Committee had approved them. The Chair raised concerns about proposed leases of Civil Aviation Authority-owned airport lands to Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt.) Ltd. at Rs. 50,000 per hectare per year, despite potentially high commercial land values in areas such as Katunayake. He stated that a transparent methodology and general policy should be developed for valuing and alienating State lands, and that the matter had been referred to the Ministry of Finance. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Regulations Public FinanceInfrastructure Read →
  • 20 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva questioned whether the 2025 amendments to the Electricity Act had reversed the intended unbundling of the CEB and weakened prospects for private investment, governance reform, and tariff reduction. He asked for clarity on the restructuring master plan, expert input, due diligence, timelines, and accountability, citing opposition from engineers and concerns over entities such as LTL Holdings. He argued that Budget allocations for transmission and sector development fall far short of the stated USD 5 billion investment need, and questioned the cost implications of high-interest external borrowing. He proposed using part of additional fuel tax revenue to create a dedicated fund to subsidize solar PV storage batteries. Committee Stage: Appropriation Bill 2026 - Head 119 (Ministry of Energy) Cut Motion and Debate Cost of LivingInfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
  • 17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva argued that Sri Lanka’s foreign policy should be treated as an economic strategy focused on exports, investment, remittances, tourism and debt restructuring, noting the importance of relations with India and China during the debt crisis. He criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism’s online economic diplomacy content as outdated, citing references to 2018–2020 activities and non-functional links, including a QR code for the Office for Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs. He asked the Minister to clarify whether that Office exists and urged the Ministry to update its website as a practical platform for investors, overseas Sri Lankans and exporters. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
  • 17 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticized the Government for not clearly articulating its foreign policy or linking it to the Budget allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism. He acknowledged references to bilateral discussions and foreign visits but argued that these did not amount to a substantive explanation of policy priorities or spending rationale. Debate - Appropriation Bill 2026 Committee Stage Continuation (Foreign Affairs, Justice and National Integration) Foreign AffairsPublic Finance Read →
  • 14 November 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the 2026 Appropriation Bill, covering the fiscal, financial and economic assumptions underlying estimated expenditure and revenue. He said Parliament requires adequate analytical capacity under Article 148 and urged that funding for the Parliamentary Budget Office, established by the 2023 Act, be increased during the Committee Stage, noting the current allocation of Rs. 8 million plus Rs. 3 million capital expenditure was insufficient. He highlighted discrepancies in 2025 budget assumptions, including lower-than-projected nominal GDP growth and inflation, while noting unexpected revenue from vehicle import taxes and Treasury cash surpluses as matters examined in the report. Committee Report: Public Finance Committee on Appropriation Bill 2026 Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 12 November 2025 AI summary Under Standing Order No. 121(5)(i), Dr. Harsha de Silva stated that the Committee on Public Finance had completed its 70-page report on the assumptions of the Budget. He clarified that, contrary to a Daily Mirror headline, the Committee had not decided that the proposed Rs. 200 allowance for estate workers was unlawful, but had only agreed to bring related concerns to the Government’s notice. Question by Private Notice: Reforms to Piriven Education (Standing Order 27(2)) Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 8 November 2025 AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva argued that while the Government has maintained macroeconomic stability under the IMF-backed reform path, the 2026 Budget lacks a credible growth strategy and offers little relief for the cost of living. He raised concerns over alleged politicization and selective action in anti-corruption efforts, citing the E-visa issue, container reports, double-cab procurement, and a People’s Bank building project, and called for suspensions or investigations where necessary. He also criticized changes to VAT thresholds, the absence of promised tax relief, and the planned property tax from 2027, while defending prior reforms on debt restructuring, public finance, the Central Bank, and state-owned enterprises. He warned against moves he described as undermining the multi-party democratic system and said Opposition protests would occur when necessary. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Law & OrderCorruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
  • 8 November 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva objected to the conduct of the Budget Debate, stating that it should commence with the Opposition. He questioned why the procedure was not being followed and insisted that the Opposition must be allowed to open the debate. Second Reading Debate: Appropriation Bill, 2026 Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 24 October 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva clarified that the matter under discussion concerns only a two-month period and does not extend to the following year. Ministerial Statement: Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2026 and Ministerial Reshuffle Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 24 October 2025 AI summary As Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva clarified that the matter under discussion relates to the current two-month period rather than the following year. He indicated that the Member’s question concerns whether a specific measure or instrument needs to be introduced for that interim period. Ministerial Statement: Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2026 and Ministerial Reshuffle Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 24 October 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva said that while there is no change in the total funds, legal and accounting clarity is needed when assets and liabilities are divided between Ministries. He cited potential confusion over borrowings and assets, and urged that projects such as the Maritime Facilitation Centre and the Port Access Elevated Highway be separated in a legally robust manner within the relevant two-month period to avoid future disputes. Ministerial Statement: Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2026 and Ministerial Reshuffle Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva welcomed the Deputy Minister’s statement and requested a copy of the tabled document. He noted that while the arrangement had been described as temporary, any transfer of assets between Ministries should be backed by legislation. Ministerial Statement: Amendments to Appropriation Bill 2026 and Ministerial Reshuffle Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 24 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on the Appropriation Bill, 2026, and noted that changes to expenditure Heads would be submitted before the Committee Stage. He also informed Parliament that the Auditor-General’s Special Audit Report on the online visa issuance process, requested by the Committee, had been received with nine recommendations, and proposed immediate parliamentary follow-up action. Tabling of Reports: Monetary Policy Deviation, Public Accounts Report, Public Finance Committee Report Parliamentary ProcedurePublic Finance Read →
  • 23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva noted that the matter was primarily legal rather than substantive debate. He stated that allocations would need to be adjusted to align with the amended Heads. Procedural Discussion: Appropriation Bill Amendment and Finance Ministry Clarification Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 23 October 2025 AI summary As Chair of the Committee on Public Finance, Dr. Harsha de Silva noted that changes had been made after the original Appropriation Bill was presented. He proposed that the Committee take up and approve the Bill at its sitting that day, warning that otherwise there may not be enough time to return it from the Committee to Parliament. Procedural Discussion: Appropriation Bill Amendment and Finance Ministry Clarification Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 23 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented two petitions to Parliament from residents of Railway Cross Road, Pannipitiya: Mr. Dhammika Nishantha Karangoda and Mrs. Elvitigelage Punchi Nona. Petitions Presented Parliamentary Procedure Read →
  • 22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva called for a prompt investigation into the murder of Haliwala (Chaligama) Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lasantha Wickramasekara and said elected representatives require appropriate security. He then referred to disputes over land in Dambulla and, in the context of the Committee on Public Finance, discussed the use of Special Commodity Levies to protect local farmers from imports during harvest periods. Citing the National Tariff Policy approved in May 2024 and the 2021 sugar levy controversy, he argued that levy changes must follow agreed procedures, including prior Cabinet approval, time limits, and advance announcement, rather than ad hoc ministerial action. Debate: Rules under Excise Ordinance and Special Commodity Levy Order (Session 2) Law & OrderAgriculturePublic Finance Read →
  • 22 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on rules under the Excise Ordinance concerning the time period for payment of duty on liquor production and related fees, and an order under the Special Commodity Levy Act relating to the Special Commodity Levy. The report was ordered to lie upon the Table. Presentation of Reports and Petitions Public Finance Read →