Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, former National People’s Power (NPP) Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, has been appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, the government announced on Monday.
Dr. Suriyapperuma submitted his resignation from Parliament, effective June 20, 2025, in a letter to the Secretary‑General. His departure vacates a National List seat, which the Election Commission has been officially notified, enabling him to take up the new bureaucratic post.
The appointment follows the retirement of former Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana and was confirmed by the President’s Media Division.
A qualified accountant and management professional, Dr. Suriyapperuma holds an MBA from Sri Lanka’s Postgraduate Institute of Management and a PhD in business networking and performance from Malaysia’s Management & Science University. He is a Fellow of CIMA (UK) and a member of ACCA.
Dr. Suriyapperuma served as Director of Corporate Affairs at Sri Lanka’s Securities and Exchange Commission from 2013 to 2021, followed by senior roles in the private sector. He joined the NPP’s Economic Council in 2022 and was appointed a National List MP and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning after the 2024 general election.
During his seven months as deputy minister, he participated in budget oversight committees, highlighted excessive currency printing, and advocated for tax relief and lower energy costs. He also engaged in negotiations with the IMF and other international creditors, citing a USD 197 million rise in foreign direct investment in the first quarter of 2025.
His elevation to Treasury Secretary marks an unusual shift from a partisan role into top civil service; where the position is traditionally meant to be apolitical.
NPP supporters point to his combination of academic and professional credentials, while critics have warned that politicizing the post could blur institutional boundaries.
His appointment has drawn scrutiny from some quarters, with observers noting that succeeding Siriwardana—who navigated the ministry through a period of unprecedented crisis—sets a high bar for the new secretary’s performance.
Dr. Suriyapperuma assumes his duties amid ongoing economic reforms under an IMF-supported program and rising external challenges, including evolving trade policies. He is expected to take the lead on preparing the upcoming national budget, advancing debt restructuring talks, liaising with international financial institutions, and implementing tax policy changes.
He will work closely with Finance Minister and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe to align fiscal and monetary strategies aimed at stabilizing the economy, restoring investor confidence and preserving institutional integrity. (Newswire)