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- 20 May 2025 AI summary The Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva requested that his microphone be activated. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Requested that the Chair allocate time to another Member first and then allow him speaking time afterward. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva briefly asks the Leader of the House to wait and not get angry. No substantive policy issue, proposal, or legislative matter is raised in this excerpt. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva questioned the procedural basis for another member being allowed to speak in the manner described. He asked where such authority or provision is set out. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva objected to being prevented from speaking and requested the microphone. No substantive policy argument or proposal was made in the excerpt. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva requests the Chair to allow him to speak, citing his seniority as a Member of Parliament. The intervention is procedural and does not address a substantive policy issue. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva briefly objected to the manner in which proceedings were being conducted, stating that they could not proceed in that way. No specific legislative proposal, policy issue, or demand was elaborated in the recorded remark. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva asks for clarification on where the referenced provision or information is included or made available. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva questioned the procedural interpretation of Standing Order 86, asking why or in what sense consent was required. The intervention sought clarification on parliamentary procedure rather than addressing a substantive policy issue. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva indicated that he had not finished raising his point of order and asked the Presiding Member to allow him to continue. The intervention was procedural in nature and did not address a substantive policy matter. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva raised a point of order citing Standing Order 86, which limits Members from speaking more than once on the same proposition except to clarify a misunderstood part of a speech or to raise a point of order. He objected that the Minister had already spoken for twenty minutes at the outset, implying that further remarks may breach parliamentary procedure. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 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. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva criticized the Government for reversing energy sector reforms and said renewable energy had been undermined by tariff decisions, including reducing a unit rate from Rs. 20 to Rs. 14. He alleged that incorrect cost data on Sobadanavi purchases had been presented to Cabinet, contrasting it with PUCSL figures of Rs. 45 to Rs. 72 per unit, and warned this would benefit diesel-based interests. He opposed any closed-door 18 percent electricity tariff increase, urging the Government to recalculate and stating that any necessary increase should be limited to about 3–4 percent. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) EnvironmentPublic FinanceCorruption & Governance Reform Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva argued that the electricity tariff formula agreed with the IMF, based on the 2009 Sri Lanka Electricity Act and the 1969 CEB Act, must be applied within the law and cannot be altered arbitrarily. He said the Government should not include Rs. 14 billion in legacy debt or recover a Rs. 8 billion first-quarter loss through the next tariffs, contending that such recoveries are not permitted under the formula. He urged the Government to take an independent position and challenge the IMF where its demands conflict with the legal framework. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) InfrastructurePublic Finance Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva challenged the Government’s position on the IMF programme, arguing that if Ministers believe no country succeeds through the IMF, they should propose an alternative course rather than continue with it. He questioned the increase in EV taxes in light of earlier promises of cheaper vehicles and Japanese motorcycles, and raised concerns about vehicle importers allegedly manipulating deregistered vehicles as “brand-new” imports, noting that COPF has sought a report on potential revenue losses. He also criticised the proposed 18.3 percent electricity tariff increase, contrasting it with the Government’s promise of a 33 percent reduction, and argued that legacy losses from past underpricing and debt recovery are driving the tariff request. Debate: Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act - Electric Vehicle Tax Revision (Continued) InfrastructurePublic FinanceCost of Living Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, as Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, urged the Speaker to take an urgent decision to ensure the appointment of an Auditor-General. He indicated that he was presenting the matter formally to the House and requested immediate action. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Public Finance Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Under Standing Order 121(4), Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva raised an issue from the Committee on Public Finance concerning the vacancy in the post of Auditor-General. He noted that 41 days had passed without an appointment and asked whether the Government had any reason for not following the long-standing practice of appointing the senior-most officer of the Auditor General’s Department. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Public FinanceParliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 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 excerpt. Points of Order and Privilege Matter: Death Threats to Hon. Rohana Bandara Parliamentary Procedure Read →
- 20 May 2025 AI summary Dr. Harsha de Silva tabled the Committee on Public Finance report on regulations and orders relating to imports and exports control, monetary law, luxury tax on motor vehicles, and excise duty. He noted that the Committee recommended a policy review of Mattala Airport’s operations, as departure and arrival taxes of USD 30 each have not been levied since 2022 despite the airport’s debt and liabilities. He also said vehicle luxury tax exemption thresholds are being adjusted due to currency depreciation, and that taxes on electric vehicles are being increased while remaining below those on petrol and diesel vehicles. Papers Presented and Committee Reports Public Finance Read →
- 9 May 2025 AI summary Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva objected to the misuse of his name in the debate and demanded that the statement be withdrawn with an apology. He challenged the other party to show where he was mentioned and denied claims relating to “ten measures of rice,” accusing them of making false statements. Private Members' Motion (P.19/2024): Course of Action for Implementing Audit Recommendations Parliamentary Procedure Read →