January 01, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has announced the detailed schedule for the 2025 Budget presentation and debate, with the first reading of the Appropriation Bill set for January 9, 2025, followed by the Budget speech on February 17.
The full debate on the budget will run for a total of 26 days, beginning on February 18 and concluding on March 21, 2025, with key votes scheduled during this period.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (31).
According to the Secretary-General of Parliament, Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera, the first reading of the Appropriation Bill will take place in Parliament on January 9, 2025.
The much-anticipated Budget speech will be delivered on February 17, followed by the second reading debate from February 18 to 25.
The second reading debate will span seven days, after which a vote on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to take place on February 25 at 6:00 p.m.
Following the second reading, the Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill will commence on February 27 and continue until March 21, 2025, covering 19 days of deliberations, including four Saturdays.
This extended debate period will allow for a thorough review of the bill. A vote on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill is slated for March 21 at 6:00 p.m.
In terms of daily scheduling during the budget debate, a 30-minute slot from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. will be reserved for five Questions for Oral Answers.
The budget debate itself will then run from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with an additional half-hour from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. allocated for motions at adjournment time.
However, on the two critical days, February 25 and March 21, when votes are to take place, this allocation will not apply.
