The Minister of Finance, PM Mahinda Rajapaksa is expected to present the second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2021 in Parliament today (17).

Following the publication of the 2021 Appropriation Bill in the Gazette on 06th of October, it was presented to Parliament by PM Rajapaksa on 20th of October for the first reading.

Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake stated that the Prime Minister is slated to present the 2021 Appropriation Bill at 1.40 pm today.

Subsequently, he will make the budget speech and it will be considered as the 75th budget report of the country, the Department of Communication of Parliament said in a media release.

The Appropriation Bill will seek the allocation of Rs. 2,678 billion for the service expenditure and according to the Bill, limit on borrowings for the financial year 2021 has been set at Rs. 2,900 billion.

The second reading debate of the budget will be held from the 18th to the 21st of November, following the presentation of the budget speech by the Prime Minister.

The vote on the second reading will take place on November 21st at 5.00 pm. Parliament sittings will be held from the 18th to the 20th from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The debate of the Committee Stage will commence on the 23rd of November and is scheduled to conclude on 10th of December. Accordingly, the vote will be held at 5.00 pm on the 10th of December.

Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake stated that necessary arrangements have been made to hold sittings of Parliament in accordance with all health guidelines and regulations during the entire period of the budget debate from today (17).

Only Ambassadors and officials authorized by the Ministry of Finance are invited today, and seats reserved in the Speaker’s Gallery during the budget presentation will be subjected to health and safety regulations. Meanwhile, the Public Gallery and the Media Gallery will remain closed.

Following the budget speech, traditional tea party hosted by the Minister of Finance will be held this year but it will be limited to Members of Parliament, Ministers, Ambassadors and invitees, the media release said further.

Due to the prevailing COVID 19 situations, the parliamentarians will not be able to bring guests to Parliament during the budget debate.