The 76th Budget of the Parliament of Sri Lanka is due to be presented in Parliament today (12). This is the second budget of the government of Gotabhaya Rajapaksha, the seventh Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.
The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2022 will be presented by the Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa in Parliament on the 12th and the Budget Speech will commence at 02.00 pm. The relevant Bill was presented in Parliament by the Minister of Finance on the October 07th.
This Appropriation Bill was published in the Gazette on 29th September 2021 for matters relating to obtaining service expenses for the financial year 2022 from the Consolidated Fund or any other suitable fund with provisions and obtaining loans within or outside Sri Lanka.
Accordingly, for the period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, approval will be sought for recurrent and capital expenditure related to Government Expenditure amounting to Rs. two thousand five hundred and five billion, three hundred and forty six million, five hundred and fifty eight thousand. Approval is to be obtained for recurrent and capital expenditure related to government expenditure.
According to Chapter xvii of the Constitution, Parliament has full control over public finances and must seek the approval of Parliament for matters including taxation, consolidation of funds or any other appropriate fund with provisions. The second reading debate of the budget will be held for 7 days from tomorrow (13) to Monday, November 22. The vote on the second reading of the budget will take place on Monday, November 22 at 5.00 pm.
The Committee Stage Debate will commence on Tuesday, November 23 and will continue for 16 days, including Saturday, until Friday, December 10. The third reading vote will be held on December 10 at 5.00 pm, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said. Arrangements have been made to present this year’s budget debate in sign language on behalf of the hearing impaired community. Accordingly, a Sign Language Window will be telecast simultaneously with the live telecast during the budget debate.
Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake has further stated that arrangements have been made to hold sittings in accordance with all health guidelines and regulations during the entire period of the budget debate from tomorrow (12) when the budget statement is presented to Parliament.