Harsha de Silva, Eisenhower Fellow

Posted on July 26, 2009 / 8 Comments

LIRNEasia’s lead economist Dr Harsha de Silva has been selected for the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship. Our warm congratulations to Harsha on this high recognition of his potential as a decisive actor in public policy. The focus on potential for future contributions is evidenced by the fact that all Eisenhower fellows have to submit a proposal of what they will do upon their return. Mr Lalith Weeratunga who was an Eisenhower Fellow from Sri Lanka some years back is now Secretary to the President. I guess the Eisenhower process works.

In addition to Harsha’s many interventions in improving the quality of public discourse in Sri Lanka through his BizFirst program and many activities as part of LIRNEasia, Harsha has engaged in many public-spirited actions, ranging from the personally funding the source collection of agricultural price information used by many government agencies and the media to his key role in the Colombo Regency Rotary Club’s web-based fund raising for the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that led to the construction of a large number of houses in Kalutara. We are happy that his contributions and potential have been recognized by others.

8 Comments

Chanuka Wattegama
July 26, 2009, 5:22 pm
Congrats, Harsha.

This if from The Sunday Island online today.

Dr. Harsha de Silva picked for Eisenhower Fellowship

Dr. Harsha de Silva, lead economist of LIRNEasia, has been selected as Sri Lanka Fellow for the Eisenhower Fellowship 2010 Multination Program.

In a letter to de Silva, Mr. John S. Wolf of the Eisenhower Fellowship Program has said that he was chosen from among a strong group of finalists developed by a distinguished nominating committee.

Mr. P. Sivagananathan of MAS Holdings has been selected as an alternate in case the primary nominee is unable to accept the Fellowship.

The Eisenhower Fellowship Multination Program has over several decades chosen outstanding Sri Lankans from the public service, private business and the professions for the Fellowship that provide professional/leadership development programs to individuals who have demonstrated potential for advance eldership and positive impact in their home countries.

The Fellowship consists of a combination of individual meetings, site visits and other activities throughout the United States as well as group activities with other Fellows.
indi
July 26, 2009, 7:29 pm
Harsha is a fundamentally good and decent man who in addition to national service is always there for friends in need. And he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Congrats
Rohan Samarajiva
July 26, 2009, 7:36 pm
Dr Somkiat Tangkitvanich, a colleague from TDRI in Thailand who has worked with us was a Fellow in 2008. He too is a very significant intervenor in public policy processes in Thailand. Good company to keep.

Does anyone know other Eisenhower Fellows? I found Ajith Nivard Cabraal was a Fellow in 2000. A friend and a leader of the Indian disaster management community, Mihir Bhatt, had been a fellow the same year.
Nalaka Gunawardene
July 27, 2009, 9:42 am
Congratulations to Harsha, a courageous and articulate public intellectual in a country that just doesn’t have enough of them. Just look out for those little green men – and women – who are too numerous in Lanka, and stay out of their way!
Abu Saeed Khan
July 27, 2009, 12:01 pm
It’s good to see that good deeds get rewarded. I’m sure Harsha will keep inspiring many people at home and abroad. All the best!
Prabha
July 27, 2009, 1:25 pm
Congratulations Harsha for this well deserved reward and thanks Rohan for sharing this wonderful news with us!

I am so happy that I got a chance to interact with Harsha briefly last Jan. With best, Prabha.

harsha de silva
July 27, 2009, 1:34 pm
thank you very much!

rohan: previous eisenhower fellows from sri lanka, from what i know , include (besides lalith weeratunga and nivard cabraal) eran wickremeratne, paikyasorthy saravanamuttu and chandra jayaratne.
EisenhowerFellowships
August 7, 2009, 7:37 pm
A list of our Eisenhower Fellows from Sri Lanka follows (names, years of fellowship, titles and organizations):

Rohan Abeygunasekera
1996
Member of Parliament, Government of Sri Lanka; Attorney-at-Law

J. Asokade Lanerolle
1972
Director, Pramuka Savings and Development Bank

Nivard Cabraal
2000
Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka

Harsha de Silva
2010
Lead Economist, LIRNEasia

Godfrey Gunatilleke
1970
Director, Sri Lanka Center for Development Studies, MARGA Institute

H. Dayananda Gunawardena
1986
Mentor and Former Chairman, Prudential Holdings (Pte.)

Chandra Jayaratne
1989
Managing Director, CTC Eagle Insurance Company Ltd.

Ranepura Sumanasiri Jayaratne
1978
Managing Director, Resources Development Consultants, Ltd.

Suneetha S. Jayawickrama
1968
Former Director, Hayleys Ltd.

Mangala Moonesinghe
1975
High Commissioner to India; Former Ambassador to United Kingdom and India

Kala Peiris de Costa
2004
Executive Director, Siyath Foundation

Susie Perera de Silva
2007
Project Director, National HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, Sri Lanka Ministry of Health

Nimal Samarakkody
1993
Chief Executive Officer, SAPCO Group of Companies

Frank R. Samaraweera
1982
Retired; Former Director, Richard Pierts Exports, Ltd.

Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu
2004
Executive Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives

H. Shelton Wanasinghe
1967
Director, Commercial Bank of Ceylon Ltd; Member, Board of Directors of the Centre for Policy Alternatives

Jayasuriya Weliamuna
2004
Attorney-at-Law; Executive Director, Transparency International

Eran Wickramaratne
2004
Chief Executive Officer and Director, NDB Bank Limited