The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 (the Budget Speech) was presented to Parliament today (07) by Hon. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.
At around 1.30 p.m. today, in keeping with tradition, the Hon. President arrived at the Chamber from the Office of the President within the Parliament premises, preceded by the Serjeant-at-Arms. Subsequently, the Budget proposals were presented until 5.50 p.m.
This budget, the second of the new government, will go down in history as the 80th budget of independent Sri Lanka. Foreign ambassadors, Governors, high-ranking government officials, heads of forces, judges and many other guests attended the event.
The debate on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 is scheduled to be held over a period of six days, from November 8 to November 14. Thereafter, the vote on the Second Reading of the Budget will be taken on November 14 at 6.00 p.m.
Subsequently, the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill for the year 2026 is scheduled to be held for 17 days, including three Saturdays, from November 15 to December 5. Following that, the vote on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill will be held on December 5 at 6.00 p.m.
Accordingly, the entire Budget debate is scheduled to be held from November 8 to December 5, 2025.
