(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentarian economist Dr. Harsh de Silva said he is willing to consider a post in an all-party government to provide his support to resolve Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
Taking to social media, the SJB MP said he offers to be the Chairman of parliament’s Public Finance Committee which is the most powerful committee in parliament that shapes up the economic policies.
“Given the deadlock in creating an all-party government to resolve Sri Lanka Crisis I offer to be Chairman of Public Finance Committee in Parliament and give leadership to prepare All Party Economic Revival Plan as a Parliamentary proposal that is approved by majority,” Dr. de Silva said.
He said unknown to many, Public Finance Committee is the most powerful committee in the parliament with wide powers to discharge the Constitutional provision 148 that gives the parliament ‘full control’ of public finance.
“I feel I can play a bigger role here than in a government that lacks legitimacy,” he said.
“An all-party government will not be formed at this time. The reason for this is that Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not bow to public opinion and give a time frame to step down from the presidency. I will not betray the policies and join the government and oppose the people’s struggle,” he said.
“However, I will take an important step forward to address the current economic crisis. I hope to be the Chairman of the Finance Committee of that Parliament. We hope that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya will propose my name and I will receive the support.”
What he hopes is that after assuming the chairmanship of the Finance Committee, an all-party committee will lead the preparation of an economic revival plan and he intends to seek the approval of Parliament for that plan and then support its implementation.
“The public opinion at this time is to find a solution to this economic crisis through all party intervention. I believe that the aspirations of the people can be fulfilled through the chairmanship of the Committee on Finance,” the SJB MP noted.
He pointed out that the Parliament has full power over money and no money bill can be passed in Parliament without the approval of the Finance Committee.
“This committee is just as powerful. I am determined to serve the country at this juncture in this manner while safeguarding public opinion,” he said.
Acknowledging that he is being criticized for not taking up a Cabinet responsibility as Finance Minister, MP Harsha de Silva said the Sri Lanka Crisis is a toxic combination of economics and politics and the resolution depends on both.
“My joining Cabinet as an ‘independent MP’ will only worsen political crisis,” MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said.
