Veteran senior administrative officer Haris de Silva, who served as a former Director of the National Archives Department and later as a Ministry Secretary, has passed away at the age of 93.

He was also the beloved father of Opposition MP Harsha de Silva.

Haris de Silva was widely respected in the field of public administration, having provided long‑term leadership in the preservation, protection, and modernization of Sri Lanka’s state records and archival system. 

His contributions earned him recognition as a distinguished officer who played a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s documentation and archival framework.

The remains of the late Haris de Silva were placed for public respect today (05) from 9.00 am at his residence on Poorvarama Road, Kirulapone. Final rites are scheduled to be held this afternoon at the Kirulapone public cemetery. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service today (July 28) celebrates a decade since its first vehicle was flagged off at Galle Face in 2016.

Opposition MP Harsha de Silva, who spearheaded the initiative, said that the free ambulance service was launched amidst heavy protest from the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) and certain political groups.

In a post on ‘X’, Harsha de Silva noted that the service has since grown into the country’s most loved and efficient public service, now attending to around 1,000 incidents daily and covering nearly 30,000 kilometres every day.

He expressed gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for backing the project, and to the people of India for the initial USD 23 million grant that helped turn the idea into reality.

Harsha de Silva credited the vision and technological innovation of the board led by Dumindra Ratnayake, and the execution by more than 1,500 staff under CEO Dr. Sohan De Silva, for building Suwa Seriya into a service that can deliver a “fully equipped micro hospital” to any doorstep in under 13 minutes on average.

He also extended best wishes to the new management appointed last year by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging them to continue and improve on this life‑saving service.

“May 1990 Suwa Seriya continue to serve the people of this country for generations to come,” de Silva added. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has publicly commended the Southern Highway 1969 Emergency Roadside Assistance team after an incident on the expressway involving his vehicle.

Sharing a video on ‘X’, de Silva recounted how he and his wife faced a “scary situation” last evening but were quickly assisted after making a single call. 

He noted that the crew arrived within minutes, acted with professionalism and courtesy, and even took over the tyre change themselves, a task he said was not part of their usual responsibility.

De Silva urged motorists to regularly check their tyres, adding that he was fortunate the incident occurred at the rear of the vehicle while traveling at 100 km/h. (Newswire)

Thank you #SouthernHighway 1969 Emergency Roadside Assistance! Last evening my wife and I had to face a bit of a scary situation but one call and the crew came in within minutes and helped me sort out the problem. They were professional and courteous. In fact they wouldn’t let me… pic.twitter.com/FQRKyr37Cc

— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) July 21, 2026

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Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman MP Harsha de Silva today called on the government to clarify tax neutrality between resident and non‑resident digital service providers before the debate on the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill.

“We would like the government to make a clarification, because the COPF committee did not get a clarification,” he told Parliament, stressing that the issue must be addressed before proceeding with the second reading of the Bill.

He pointed out that the concern stems from differing tax treatment: local digital service providers are taxed on the full value of transactions, while non‑resident providers are taxed only on the commission they earn. 

MP Harsha noted that while this may be defensible from an accounting point of view, it creates an asymmetry from an economic and national development perspective.

He recalled that under the previous government, COPF had argued taxation should be based on the jurisdiction of consumption rather than production. 

While this principle has now been adopted, he warned that domestic providers risk being disadvantaged unless neutrality is ensured.

The second reading of the VAT Amendment Bill, which seeks to widen the tax net and strengthen compliance, is scheduled for debate in Parliament today (23). (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has accused the government of pursuing policies that simultaneously burden consumers and farmers, warning that the poorest Sri Lankans are paying the price.

In a post on ‘X’, MP de Silva highlighted two recent decisions: raising taxes on corn imports, which he said has driven up chicken and egg prices for families already struggling to afford protein, and importing 150,000 metric tons of rice, which has left paddy farmers unable to sell their harvest at viable prices.

“The Ministry of Agriculture admitted there is a problem at a recent session of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF),” de Silva noted, adding that the Paddy Marketing Board’s capacity to intervene in the market is limited to just three or four times a year.

He also criticized the 2020 shutdown of the Shakthi Rice Cooperative, established to break the rice oligopoly and support small millers and farmers, without any replacement mechanism.

“Restart Shakthi. Stop policy that punishes the poor from both ends,” de Silva urged, calling for urgent corrective measures to protect both consumers and producers. (Newswire)

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Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF), MP Harsha de Silva, has directed that a regulator be appointed to address the unchecked spread of online betting and casino advertisements across Sri Lanka.

Speaking during a COPF session, de Silva questioned how such platforms were allowed to operate without licences or oversight, despite openly advertising during cricket matches. 

He noted that some online casinos were even using the Sri Lankan government logo in their promotions, claiming to be licensed operators.

“Using the government’s logo they are telecasting online casinos for every ball in cricket matches. If no licence has been issued, then rewind and watch the last overs, you will see advertisements stating ‘licensed’ with the Sri Lanka logo. How is this happening? Who is approving this?” de Silva asked.

He warned that the absence of regulation was creating a massive legal blind spot, with billions in potential tax revenue slipping away from the state. 

De Silva pressed officials to explain how online casino licences were being issued, or if not, why such advertisements were being allowed to continue unchecked. (Newswire)

Online betting sites are advertising openly across Sri Lanka, yet they operate with zero regulation. How is this allowed?

At our COPF session, I questioned officials on this massive legal blind spot and the billions in lost tax revenue bleeding from the state. Watch the full… pic.twitter.com/j97eEdWMqP

— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) June 16, 2026

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has warned of a deepening breakdown in Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange market, saying a collapse in confidence is driving a “vicious cycle” of volatility and uncertainty.

In a recent address, de Silva pointed to the rapid depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee, noting that the Bank of Ceylon selling rate had recently reached 354, as evidence of mounting pressure on the currency market.

He said the core issue is not only economic but also structural, arguing that financial markets operate primarily on trust rather than political assurances. “Markets operate on trust. If market trust collapses, the market itself collapses,” he said, adding that both the forex and rupee markets are being shaped by weakening confidence.

Responding to government statements that the country will not be allowed to fail, de Silva said such assurances are insufficient to stabilise investor sentiment. He stressed that markets require clear and transparent signals rather than political messaging.

He further described what he called a “vicious cycle” in market behaviour, where exporters are withholding foreign currency in anticipation of further depreciation, while importers are rushing to secure dollars ahead of expected rate increases, potentially above 375. This, he said, is worsening liquidity conditions.

De Silva also highlighted what he described as an unprecedented freeze in trading activity. “Today there isn’t even a rate in the market. There isn’t a single bid or offer,” he said, adding that most transactions are now limited to those involving the Central Bank.

He questioned how the government expects to attract foreign investment or advance major projects such as Colombo Port City under such conditions, citing a lack of transparency in price discovery and market functioning.

Looking ahead, de Silva warned that restoring stability may require a sharp policy response, including a possible increase in interest rates by 50 to 100 basis points in the coming week.

While acknowledging such measures may be necessary to restore confidence, he cautioned that the broader economic impact would be felt by the public through higher borrowing costs and increased fiscal pressure. “If interest rates are increased, the cost of government borrowing will rise, and ultimately taxes on the public will also increase,” he said. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has refuted reports claiming he is considering joining the government.

“The fact that the government seeks me is a proud moment, and I am happy. My way of politics is different. I have no issues with being called out for what is right or wrong,” he said in a video message.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP noted that some people cannot accept his style of politics, particularly the way he conducts the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance as its Chair.

“Some people are attempting to portray this in a wrong manner. I would like to tell all those who voted for me, do not fall for rumours. It is not true. I will uphold the trust of my voters,” he added. (Newswire)

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Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman Harsha de Silva says he has not been informed of Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma’s appearance before the committee today (30) regarding the US$2.5 million cyber theft from the Treasury.

“I do not know, and I have not been informed. However, I did not accept his refusal to be present today and request for another day. I have written to him and told him that the Committee will meet as planned,” MP Harsha said in a statement on ‘X’.

His comments come as reports emerged that Suriyapperuma, along with senior Finance Ministry officials, will appear before the COPF at 01.00 pm today to provide explanations over the US$2.5 million cyber theft from the Treasury.

Suriyapperuma is reportedly appearing before the COPF today, despite having earlier informed the committee in writing that he was unable to attend today’s session and requested an alternative date after May 5, citing the President’s expected statement in Parliament on the matter.

The COPF meeting is scheduled to proceed this afternoon, with members expected to deliberate on the alleged diversion of USD 2.5 million in Treasury funds, in a case linked to a suspected email scam involving a foreign debt repayment.

The payment, made as part of Sri Lanka’s external debt servicing process, had been redirected to a third party through a fraudulent email resembling that of Australia’s Export Finance Agency. (Newswire)

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Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman MP Harsha de Silva says he intends to summon the Finance Ministry Secretary before the committee regarding the recently reported $2.5 million Treasury cyber fraud. 

Speaking to reporters, MP Harsha de Silva said that the committee is meeting today, during which he intends to propose summoning the Finance Ministry Secretary before the committee. 

“I have summoned the COPF committee members today. I am of the view that the Finance Ministry Secretary must be summoned regarding the Treasury fraud incident. It is essential that he briefs the Parliament. This is a Parliamentary power under the Constitution,” he said. 

MP Harsha de Silva further said that there is no reason for the Finance Ministry Secretary not to appear before the COPF committee. 

“I intend to discuss with committee members today and reach a consensus on summoning the Finance Ministry Secretary and relevant officials before the COPF committee as soon as possible. I believe the government members in the committee will agree to this proposal, as they have no reason to reject,” he added. (Newswire)

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The Department of Motor Traffic has acknowledged that the removal of the Province indication on vehicle number plates was due to the failure of the project. 

During a session with the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF), DMT officials revealed that the Province indication on vehicle number plates was introduced during Sri Lanka’s civil war.

“Province indication was introduced to vehicle number plates to enable the Police to identify the origins of the vehicles during the war. This project was introduced together with the Police Department. The number plates were introduced with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). However, as the Police did not possess the necessary equipment to read the RFID, we decided to remove the province indicator and RFID from vehicle number plates,” the officials revealed.

They further said that the decision for the removal was also due to the public paying large sums for specified number plates. 

When inquired by the COPF  whether the Police are capable of identifying vehicles now, the DMT officials acknowledged that vehicles cannot be identified in such a manner.

“The Police Department has informed that the system is not required at present, due to no existing war situation. And we do not have any request in this regard,” they added. 

Responding to the disclosure, COPF Chair Harsha de Silva said that the project was considered a total waste of public finance.

He said the project had been introduced by the DMT at a time when the Police Department did not possess the necessary equipment to read Radio Frequency Identification on vehicle number plates. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has accused the JVP/NPP government and officials at the state-owned petroleum distributor of attempting to misrepresent remarks made by HSBC’s CEO regarding oil prices, calling their actions “utterly shameful.”

De Silva said the government wrongly claimed the CEO had suggested Sri Lanka paid USD 286 per barrel of crude oil, even threatening legal action against HSBC. 

He clarified that the executive had in fact referred to the refined oil “door-to-door” price, not crude, and was merely analyzing the fallout of the ongoing Middle East war.

“The man clearly referred to refined oil and door-to-door price, never crude, as accused by the government,” de Silva wrote on X, adding that the government’s attempt to “teach the man a lesson” had backfired.

His comments refer to the CPC’s response to claims by Georges Elhedery, CEO of HSBC, stating that oil prices for Asian buyers can be significantly higher than Brent crude benchmarks due to added costs such as insurance, shipping and supply constraints.

According to a report by Middle East Eye, speaking at an investment forum in Hong Kong, Elhedery said benchmark oil prices in Western markets often fail to reflect the actual costs faced by buyers in Asia.

“What worries me is not the headlines. Oil headline is above $100, $110,” he said, according to a transcript cited by Bloomberg. “Realistically, if you are now trying to get oil from the Middle East, you may be paying $140, $150.” He added that the highest figure he had heard was $286 in Sri Lanka.

Responding to the statement, the CPC rejected claims that Sri Lanka paid $286 per barrel for crude oil, adding that it intends to pursue legal action over reports it described as inaccurate.

Issuing a statement, the CPC Chairman said the corporation imports crude oil solely for the Sapugaskanda refinery, but it had neither paid nor agreed to pay $286 per barrel for any crude oil shipment it has procured or contracted.

The CPC further rejected what it described as false statements aimed at damaging the corporation’s reputation, warning that it intends to pursue legal action against parties responsible for spreading misinformation. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has criticized the Sri Lanka Police’s emergency hotline system, drawing comparisons with the Suwa Seriya 1990 free ambulance service. 

In a post on ‘X’, he noted that Suwa Seriya has managed roughly 5,000 calls per day for over seven years, more than the 4,500 calls the police claim to handle, and that 98.9% of those calls are answered on the first ring. 

He further highlighted Suwa Seriya’s average nationwide response time of 13 minutes, compared to what he described as the police’s 180-minute delay. 

Harsha de Silva credited Suwa Seriya’s efficiency to its digital systems, strict protocols, and above all, the attitude of its staff, adding, “We will teach you how to do it if you are humble enough to learn”.

His remarks came in response to Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala’s recent admission that he receives daily complaints about delays in responses to 119 calls. 

Wijepala revealed that he personally contacted the 118 National Help Desk hotline after a complainant alleged that no action had been taken even three hours after reporting an incident to 119. 

The Minister said he advised the complainant to formally report the delay, acknowledging widespread public frustration with the system. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Dr. Harsha de Silva says that with surplus funds currently available in the Treasury, the government should avoid immediately hiking fuel prices in response to sudden global shocks.

Speaking during a televised interview, he argued that instead of passing the burden directly onto households and businesses, the government could temporarily reduce various taxes on fuel to cushion the impact.

“This is prudent, far‑sighted leadership, easing the shock when you can afford to, not adding to people’s burdens during recovery,” he stated.

His remarks come amid concerns that rising global energy prices could intensify cost‑of‑living pressures for Sri Lankan families and businesses already navigating economic recovery.

“The price formula can be used. I am not saying don’t use the price formula. But we have other tools and methods to reduce the shock felt by the people. This economy must be reformed. That is not where the mess is. One must think more deeply, as there are industries in our country. There are SME’s in our country, and there are average citizens in our country,” he said.

MP de Silva pointed out that the poverty level has risen from 12% to 25% at present, stating, “If they say that in no way they can provide relief to the people within this situation, that is ignorance.”

“Within this pricing formula, there are two things we can do. One is that there is a Rs. 118 tax, and secondly, Value Added Tax is charged on top of it.  VAT is charged on top of the crude oil price, the transport cost, and the administration charges. Therefore, we can adjust this in the short-term. This is a shock. This is a temporary disruption. The answer given to a temporary disruption and a long-term trend are two different things. I advise that they use the surplus funds in the Treasury to absorb the shock,” he explained. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has raised alarm over what he termed a “tourism paradox” in Sri Lanka, where visitor arrivals are surging but revenue is falling.

Speaking on the issue, de Silva pointed out that foreigners are increasingly running unlicensed cafes, bars, surf camps, and tour operations while staying on tourist visas. 

“Money leaks abroad via overseas payments,” he warned, stressing that such practices undermine the local economy and deprive Sri Lanka of tax revenue.

He further highlighted the growing problem of overtourism, noting that budget travellers are overcrowding popular destinations, damaging natural wonders, and pricing locals out of their own communities. 

“Yala is overcrowded, Sigiriya is strained, and our beaches are polluted,” de Silva said, adding that unchecked tourism is eroding the country’s cultural and environmental assets.

While welcoming innovation and investment, the MP insisted that all operators must follow the same rules, obtain licenses, create local jobs, and pay taxes. 

He called for a shift toward sustainable tourism that prioritises quality over quantity and protects Sri Lanka’s attractions for future generations.

“The government must enforce a proper framework now,” de Silva urged, warning that failure to act would compromise both national revenue and the long-term viability of the tourism sector. (Newswire)

Tourism paradox: Arrivals surging, revenue falling . Foreigners run unlicensed cafes/bars/surf camps/tours on tourist visas—money leaks abroad via overseas payments.

Add overtourism: Budget travellers jam hotspots, ruin natural wonders (Yala overcrowded, Sigiriya strained,… pic.twitter.com/JQsGSpsDm7

— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) February 23, 2026

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has questioned the legality of delegating spending powers over state funds to political candidates and their representatives by appointing them as chairmen of Praja Shakthi Committees. 

He warned that these committees, which now decide on Samurdhi, roadworks, and local projects, shift control away from neutral public servants to politically aligned figures. 

“This raises serious concerns about impartiality, accountability, and the misuse of public resources. Does this comply with constitutional principles on delegation of powers and public finance?” de Silva asked, in a post on ‘X’.

MP Harsha de Silva further called for clarity and safeguards to protect state institutions from politicization.

The Opposition MP made the inquiries during a recent session of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF).  (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has criticized decades of missed opportunities in Sri Lanka’s economic engagement with India, calling it a colossal waste of so many thousand young lives and decades of lost time.

Reflecting on JVP/NPP leader Tilvin Silva’s meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in Delhi, MP de Silva urged political leaders to recognize the importance of closer integration with the world’s fastest-growing nation, India. 

Taking to ‘X’, he questioned the government’s lack of progress on the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA), noting, “Nothing happened for the last 1.5 years, in fact ‘ECTA’ does not even appear in any of the official statements during the visits of the President or PM.” 

“I am aware that the opportunistic nationalists will attack me saying this line of thinking will cost the opposition the next election and fuel divisive politics. Of course I remember the attacks against me when we were establishing #1990 #SuwaSeriya… what if I backed down?” MP de Silva added, acknowledging potential backlash from nationalist groups. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva says the opposition is completely in favour of education reforms, raising concerns over the postponement of the proposed education reforms for Grade 6.

The government announced that the proposed education reforms for Grade 6 were postponed following recent controversy over content in the Grade 6 English module.

Commenting on the matter in Parliament today, MP Harsha told the government not to cite an inappropriate website as the cause, as such excuses are irrelevant.

“A website is irrelevant to us. If anyone has misused or improperly handled the matter, suspend them. We must go beyond this. We must implement these reforms. Instead of postponing it, you should have owned up to the mistake, said you are going to correct the mistake and urged us to agree to the implementation of the reforms,” he said. 

MP Harsha further urged the government to allocate the necessary funds to improve the education sector. (Newswire)

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Committee on Public Finance (COPF) Chairman, MP Harsha de Silva, has appealed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, seeking to resolve the serious matter of Sri Lanka operating without the constitutionally mandated head of the National Audit Office. 

In a 06-point letter to the President, MP de Silva said an Auditor General must be appointed urgently in the backdrop of the current disaster situation in Sri Lanka. 

“Given the large number of transactions taking place now with Cyclone Ditwah reconstruction and the yet to be legally established Rebuilding SriLanka Fund, an Auditor General must be appointed urgently,” he pointed out in a statement on ‘X’. (Newswire)

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Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has intervened to save centuries‑old records belonging to the Kandy courts and government offices that were affected by floodwaters due to Cyclone Ditwah.

In a statement on social media, MP de Silva said that the Director of the Department of National Archives, Dr. Nadira Rupasinghe, made a public appeal for intervention, stating that these documents should be kept for some time in a refrigerated environment. 

He further said that, as such, he had personally arranged for three refrigerated containers, each 40 feet long, to be dispatched to Kandy, following a discussion with the Chief Executive Officer of Aitken Spence Logistics, Janaka Gunawardena, one of the country’s leading companies, and his team. 

“For coordinating this effort with Kandy state officials, I am grateful to Chamindrani Kirielle and all members of the Kandy Bar Association who extended their support. I also thank Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara for granting approval and extending cooperation. Special thanks go to Aitken Spence Company and its Deputy Chairman, Parakrama Dissanayake, who came forward for this cause,” he said, extending his gratitude. 

MP Harsha de Silva further said that this effort was to safeguard our history and that the refrigerated containers are planned to be kept for three months.

“My father once served as the Head of the Department of National Archives, rendering an important service to this country. I have learned much from him about how valuable history is,” he added. (Newswire)

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