Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has challenged the Government to disclose the implementation status of the 2026 Budget before presenting the 2027 Budget, questioning how a new budget could be introduced without accounting for progress made under the current one.
Raising the matter in Parliament on October 22 under Standing Order 27(2), Premadasa noted that the 2027 Budget is scheduled to be presented on November 12, leaving the Government with little time to delay providing the requested information.
He stressed that allocating funds for budget proposals alone was insufficient to achieve development and economic objectives, arguing that the Government had a responsibility to ensure public funds were used effectively and produced the expected results.
Premadasa called for details of the financial and physical progress of each ministry as of September 30, 2026, including allocated funds, expenditure incurred and remaining balances. He also sought information on the allocation of domestic and foreign funding for special projects across the 28 sectors identified in the Main Public Investment Projects Summary issued by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on November 7, 2025, together with the progress achieved in each area.
He further requested action plans for programmes scheduled for completion or implementation during the remainder of 2026, details of how unspent allocations would be used, projected expenditure and relevant timelines. He also asked the Government to explain how it intended to handle funds remaining unutilised at the end of the year.
Referring to reports published by the Daily FT that state revenue had reached 75.5% of the annual estimate within the first eight months, the Opposition Leader sought an update on capital expenditure and microfinance-related activities.
He also demanded details of any revisions
