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- 21 October 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva indicated satisfaction with the matter under discussion and offered no further substantive remarks. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 21 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Government not to alter the name or objective of the Suwa Seriya service, noting that the Suwa Seriya Foundation Act he presented in 2018 does not refer to a “National Emergency Ambulance Service.” He said the service is widely recognized by the public and by the World Bank, and emphasized that its statutory purpose is pre-hospital ambulance service and emergency response. He also acknowledged the allocation of Rs. 5 billion in the previous year and the current year, while requesting that the existing branding and mandate be preserved. Question by Private Notice (SO 27(2)): Health Services and Drug Shortages HealthcareParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised concerns over a reported directive to change the name, colours and branding of the 1990 Suwaseriya Foundation established under Act No. 18 of 2018. He emphasized that Suwaseriya is a free, 24/7 pre-hospital emergency medical service serving large numbers of citizens, not merely an ambulance fleet. He urged that it not be politicized or altered by administrative directive, and said any change should be brought before Parliament through an amendment, while tabling images of the proposed logo changes. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Continued Discussion HealthcareParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. Harsha de Silva raised a point of order regarding documents Minister Vasantha Samarasinghe had said were tabled on paddy procurement of 20,000 metric tons and 30,000 metric tons for SMEs. He stated that the Hansard Department had no record of such documents being tabled and requested that they be provided. Adjournment Debate: Implementation of Manifesto - Multiple Speakers Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Government not to fear votes, citing Sri Lanka’s experience in Brussels regarding GSP Plus. He said that when a vote was sought there, Sri Lanka’s position prevailed by a large margin, with around 400 votes in favour and about 100 against. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Foreign Affairs Read →
- 9 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a point of Order. No substantive argument, proposal, or policy matter was presented in the excerpt provided. Ministry Statements and Clarifications on Independent Commissions and Provincial Council Elections Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva cautioned against generalizing about all members of a political party, stating that both good and bad individuals exist in every party. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva objected to a blanket allegation that previous governments set aside 10 percent of contracts for Ministers or Members. He said any such wrongdoing should be pursued through legal channels, but it was unfair to implicate all Members without evidence, and called on the Member to either withdraw the claim or name those responsible. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Corruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva rose to raise a Point of Order. No substantive issue, proposal, or argument is included in the provided excerpt. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 8 October 2025 AI summary Harsha de Silva rejected the characterization of Sri Lanka as “cursed,” arguing that economic decline followed blocked reforms and poor policy choices. He questioned whether the Public Debt Coordination Committee required under the Public Debt Management Act, No. 33 of 2024, had been established and had reported on the proposed US$500 million Exim Bank of China loan for the Central Expressway. He said the loan’s variable interest structure, with a 2.5% floor and 3.5% cap, disadvantages Sri Lanka compared with a fixed 2.5% rate or a symmetric band, and urged the Government to negotiate borrowing terms responsibly and in compliance with the Act. He tabled the PDCC recommendation and related Chinese bank documents. Debate: Supplementary Sum - Head 117 - Programme 02 (Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation) Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
- 26 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva urged the Government to take concrete action on the visa issue, noting that continued inaction could fuel suspicions over the allegations being raised. He also alleged that a tender relating to government paddy stocks had been structured to exclude small and medium rice millers and benefit selected large millers, contrary to the Government’s manifesto commitment to protect small and medium entrepreneurs. He called on the Government to revise its approach and ensure such millers are not displaced from the sector. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Cost of LivingCorruption & Governance ReformAgriculture Read →
- 26 September 2025 AI summary Congratulating the COPE Chair and team, Dr. Harsha de Silva raised concerns about a CWE tender to mill paddy and supply rice through Lanka Sathosa, alleging that revised conditions such as a 15,000 kg-per-hour milling capacity requirement exclude small and medium millers and may reduce the State’s due rice output. He asked why the tender permits only a 63 per cent rice yield when stored paddy could yield about 65 per cent, and placed the matter before the House as a possible corruption risk. He also referred to the COPF report on outsourcing online visa and passport services, noting that COPF recommended a forensic audit by the Auditor General and questioning delays by immigration authorities in responding to the amended draft audit report despite Parliament’s mandate for institutional cooperation. Adjournment Debate: Fourth Report of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) Corruption & Governance ReformPublic Finance Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva disputed the Government’s claims on inflation, growth and economic recovery, arguing that stabilization began under the previous administration and that official growth projections remain inconsistent. He said poverty remains high, citing a CEPA survey, and questioned how the Government intends to reduce poverty and achieve high growth without private investment or fiscal space. He criticized the reversal of power sector reforms, warning that retaining full CEB ownership without private investment would undermine tariff reduction and energy planning. On rice imports and Paddy Marketing Board stock milling, he alleged that tender conditions disadvantage small and medium millers, questioned the reduced milling outturn standard, and argued that rice should not be imported while domestic stocks are being handled in a way that could create private gains. Debate: Imports and Exports (Control) Act - Regulations for Vehicle Imports Cost of LivingPublic FinanceAgriculture Read →
- 25 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva presented the Committee on Public Finance report on regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act relating to vehicle imports. He noted that vehicle imports, suspended during the 2019-2022 crisis, have generally reopened, ending a previous tourism-sector tax concession, while the new regulations permit limited imports across 13 vehicle categories. He said the Committee was satisfied with SLTDA processes and observed that, since individual tax breaks are not possible under the IMF programme, better collection of the 1% Tourism Development Levy could fund targeted relief for the tourism sector. Papers Presented Public FinanceForeign Affairs Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva paid tribute to former MP Deshabandu Indradasa Hettiarachchi, recalling his long public career from village council chairman to District Minister for Kalutara and Minister of Coconut Industry. He highlighted Hettiarachchi’s contributions to education, health, religious institutions, libraries, the Horana Industrial Zone, Uda Gam projects, and the Kalutara Bodhi, as well as his continued social service despite the nationalization of family estates in 1971. He also referred to personal family ties and guidance he had received from Hettiarachchi, and conveyed condolences to his children and grandchildren while praying for him to attain Nibbana. Votes of Condolence: Late Former Members of Parliament (P. Dayaratna, Gamini Lokuge, Indradasa Hettiarachchi, M. H. Cegu Isadean, W. B. Ranatunga) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a procedural objection that a Deputy Minister answered while Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe was present in the House, arguing that this was not permitted under the Standing Orders. He requested adherence to parliamentary procedure in determining who may respond on behalf of a Ministry. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva states that the person referred to had been present in the Chamber but had since left. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a point of order under Standing Order 32(2), which requires the relevant Minister, or an authorized non-Cabinet Minister or Deputy Minister in the Minister’s absence, to be present to answer scheduled oral questions. He argued that the issue was not the constitutional status of Deputy Ministers, but whether a Deputy Minister may answer when the relevant Minister is present, noting that the Minister had subsequently left the Chamber. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised a point of order. No substantive argument, proposal, or question was presented in the provided extract. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 12 September 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva noted that the Minister had left the Chamber. Oral Question: Co-operative Development Functions (Q.4/2025) Parliamentary Procedure Read →