September 22, Colombo (LNW): The Government has formally published the Appropriation Bill for 2027, setting out a proposed expenditure framework of nearly Rs. 5 trillion for the coming financial year.
The Bill was gazetted on September 21, following Cabinet approval, marking the next step in the parliamentary process for the Government’s annual budget.
According to the proposals, total estimated government expenditure for 2027 stands at Rs. 4,992,773,388,000.
The legislative process will begin with the first reading of the Appropriation Bill in Parliament on October 07. The second reading, which coincides with the presentation of the Budget Speech, has been scheduled for November 12, 2026.
Parliament will then begin its detailed consideration of the Government’s spending plans, with the second-reading debate scheduled to continue from November 13 to 20.
The Bill will subsequently move to the Committee Stage, where individual allocations and expenditure proposals are examined in greater detail. That stage of the debate is scheduled to run from November 21 until December 14, 2026.
The parliamentary timetable will determine the pace at which the Government’s proposed spending programme for 2027 is scrutinised before the Appropriation Bill proceeds towards final approval.