Harsha De-Silva: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandala Weerasinghe on Monday (23) said that when Sri Lanka obtains all assurances from its bilateral creditors, it would be able to unlock the IMF program somewhere in February.Speaking to the Committee on Public Finance in Parliament, the Governor said that it was not wise for him as the governor to make comments on the assurances from the creditors, as Sri Lanka is a third party to the process."Creditors are supposed to give their assurances to the fund (IMF), so we are a third party as a debtor.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Opposition alleges that MP Vajira Abeywardena had been appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance during Thursday's (2) COPF meeting, and that eight gazettes have been approved at the meeting.MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, and Chandima Weerakkody had opposed this move and walked out of the meeting.There was controversy surrounding the post of Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, as MP Mayantha Dissanayake was appointed as Chair based on a proposal by the ruling faction, while the opposition had already proposed the name of Dr. Harsha De Silva for the post.Thereafter, MP Dissanayake resigned from the post, and the opposition once against proposed for Dr.

COLOMMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Public Finance chaired by Dr. Harsha De Silva unanimously expressed its displeasure over the operations of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission as its senior officials did not appear before the Committee and had not provided with a proper notice of absence under the due process.Whilst emphasizing on the importance of the Port City project for the purpose of generating investments and the work done thus far, the Committee unanimously expressed their dissatisfaction and advised the officials present that a better sense of responsibility needs to be exercised as professionals handling such project of importance.Therefore, the Secretary to the Commission was instructed by the Committee on Public Finance to submit by way of writing a reasonable explanation as to why high officials to the Commission are not present before the committee when they were summoned before the Committee on Public Finance on the 21st of December.

Colombo (News 1st) – The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has appointed Sajith Premadasa as the Leader of the party for the year 2023.The decision was reached during the annual party convention held at the Campbell Park in Colombo on Sunday (11).Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka was appointed SJB Chairman, while MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara was named as the General Secretary.MP Tissa Attanayake was appointed National Organizer of the SJB while Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided to appoint a special committee consisting of four members to further study and make recommendations regarding the establishment of three Standing Committees to be established. This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently.Accordingly, the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Economic Stabilization are expected to be established as new standing committees.Accordingly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, Members of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Dr. Harsha De Silva is the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance and he told the Parliament on Tuesday (8) that the state expenses would increase by Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition Lawmaker Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Public Finance says that granting approval to the Gazette Notification to temporarily suspend the importation of bathware is an injustice to the consumer.The Committee on Public Finance was of the view that Regulations published in the Extra Ordinary gazette Notification 2296/30, Under the Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 should be subjected to further consideration and that consideration should also be given as to whether approval for such would stand as justifiable by the consumer. This was discussed at the Committee on Public Finance which met on Tuesday (01) under the chairmanship of Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – SJB Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva has questioned President Ranil Wickremesinghe saying as to whether the IMF Staff Level Agreement has been given out to various individuals in committees appointed by him.In a tweet, the MP said that if the IMF staff level agreement that has thus far been hidden even from the Sri Lanka Parliament Committee on Public Finance on purported Radio Silence has been given out, it is a serious breachPreviously, the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Five Gazettes to be presented to Parliament for approval were considered in the Committee on Public Finance recently and approval was obtained for four gazettes. This approval was given after an analysis of the relevant Gazettes at the Committee on Public Finance which met recently (Oct. 20) under the chairmanship of (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament.Thus, the approval of the Committee was obtained for Gazette No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Member of the Economic Center of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the Government's recent tax revision has a risk of being backfired, and alleged that the proposal was not brought before the Parliament and neither the Parliament Finance Committe for approval beforehand. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday (12), the MP alleged that the tax revsion is one of the moved which are stipulated in the IMF agreement, that was hidden from the public. Speaking further, the SJB MP said that these proposed 'dictatorial' tax amendments should be discussed more, and should be implemented gradually, in a step-by-step fashion rather than in a matter of a week or two. If these tax revisions are implemented without consulting with the public, it would result in disastrous circumstances, including being backfired, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera thanked SJB MP, Dr. Harsha De Silva, for calling for an investigation into the tender that was called for the procurement of coal for the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Minister said that the COPF in its report on the investigation into Coal Procurement has said that Auditor General preliminarily observes that a fair & sufficient time was not accommodated to suitable bidders & thereby has deviated from the Procurement guidelines.The Minister added that the Auditor General's observations said certain limitations on their investigation & unavailability of information in a short time."Officials of the procurement committee has been notified of the observations & recommendations & will respond accordingly," tweeted the Minister.Kanchana Wijesekera said that it would be appropriate for the Committee on Public Finance to consider responses of the officials in this regard & direct to be fully investigated by a suitable authority.Sri Lanka's Auditor General has reported that the tender to procure coal for the Norochcholai Power Plant from 2022 to 2025 did not follow the approved procurement process.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told the Parliament that Dr. Harsha De Silva who was named as a member of the Committee on Public Enterprises will step down, and he will be replaced by former COPE Chairman Professor Charitha Herath."Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the law must apply to all those who are responsible for the economic crisis.Speaking at an SJB press conference held on Sunday (2), the MP cited the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who said in Parliament that all should be held responsible for the current economic crisis is now refuting his own statement and opposing the condemnation of economic crimes. Pointing out that the former President has now returned and is at Malalasekara Mawatha enjoying his comforts, the MP emphasized that it is Rajapaksa along with his accomplices who should be blamed for the economic crisis. MP de Silva also states that it is not the President who implemented the High Security Zones, but the Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne Kamal Gunaratne.He predicted that an inevitable catastrophe of Kamal Gunaratne's action would be a socio-political explosion. "That group including Kamal Gunaratne only operate according to a single model, which is the same model of the past.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Opposition Lawmaker Harin Fernando has called on parliament to appoint his Samagi Jana Balavegaya colleague Dr. Harsha De Silva as President for at least six months.“If there is absolutely no one, appoint Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Samagi Jana Balavegaya Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva has questioned the existence of parliament if Ministers are not present to respond to the concerns of the members of the house.A vocal opposition member, De Silva said the Finance Minister has not been seen in Parliament for three months, and the Governor of the Central Bank has also disregarded the notices given by the parliament.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Tensions erupted at the Sri Lankan Parliament on Thursday (10) over the absence of the country’s Finance Minister to address the crises affecting the island nation.Lakshman Kiriella, the Chief Opposition Whip representing the Samagi Jana Balavegaya stressed that it is the Parliament that decides on the finances, and yet, the Finance Minister has not made any comment to the house since the 10th of December 2021.He said almost all the sectors in Sri Lanka have been financially affected, and the absence of the Finance Minister to address these concerns can only mean that the country is bankrupt.Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the Leader of the House demanded the MP withdraw these comments noting that the Finance Minister had in fact visited Parliament after the 2021 Budget debate.Responding to requests to summon the Finance Minister, the Speaker said he as the Chair of Parliament has no right to summon an MP or Ministers, adding that if an MP is absent from Parliament for more than three months, disciplinary action will be taken.Dr. Harsha De Silva, from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, pointed out that the country’s foreign obligations are far greater than the foreign reserves maintained by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and this in fact means the country is bankrupt.“We warned you to restructure the debt before servicing 500 Million Dollars.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several Parliamentarians from the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Sri Lanka’s main opposition faction, visited the Central Bank on Wednesday (9) to meet with Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.“Our meeting was strictly professional and not political,” said Dr. Harsha De Silva who attended the meeting, adding that the main focus was highlighting the suffering of the people in the present day.The Central Bank officials believe that the issue is short-term, and had no intention of moving towards the International Monetary Fund or other agencies to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt, said the MP.“The Central Bank officials are of the view that the issues will be short-lived and can be solved by obtaining more loans from China and other lending countries,” he added.Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Reports suggest that articles have been included in the Surcharge Tax Bill, which will also include the Employees Provident Fund and the Retirement Gratuity Fund.The relevant bill on the Surcharge Tax was published via gazette on Monday (7).According to the bill, the Surcharge Tax will be levied from any individual, partnership, or company, whose taxable income calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Revenue Act, No.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced to the House on Friday (21) that new members were appointed to the Committee on Public Finance.1. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena2.