The 2027 Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be presented to Parliament today (07), officially commencing the parliamentary process for next year’s Budget.
The Committee on Parliamentary Business decided to present the Bill for its first reading today at a meeting chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, according to the Communication Department of Parliament.
The second reading of the Appropriation Bill, together with the presentation of the 2027 Budget proposals, is scheduled for November 12. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, will deliver the Budget Speech.
The second reading debate will be held over seven days from November 13 to 20, with the vote on the second reading scheduled for 6 p.m. on November 20.
Following the second reading, the Bill will proceed to the Committee Stage, during which individual expenditure heads will be considered. The Committee Stage debate is scheduled to continue for 19 days from November 21 to December 14.
The final vote on the third reading of the Budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. on December 14, bringing the parliamentary Budget process to a conclusion.
Parliament will convene at 9.30 a.m. on each scheduled Budget debate day, including Saturdays, while Sundays and public holidays will not be included in the debate schedule.
During the Second Reading debate, 60% of the allotted debate time will be allocated to the Government and 40% to the Opposition. At the Committee Stage, the allocation will be reversed, with 40% for the Government and 60% for the Opposition.
Parliamentary authorities have also made arrangements for divisions on individual expenditure heads. If a division is requested on an expenditure head relating to a particular ministry, the vote will be held at 6 p.m. at the conclusion of parliamentary proceedings on that day, the Communication Department said.
