The 2022 Budget will be presented in Parliament on the 12th of November, Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando announced today.
He said the third reading and vote on the budget will take place on the 10th of December.
The dates were decided during a meeting of the Party leaders that was held today.
Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa today presented the Appropriation Bill for the year 2022 in Parliament.
The Appropriation Bill to provide service for the financial year 2022, to authorize the raising of loans in or outside Sri Lanka and to enable the payment, by way of advances out of the consolidated fund or any other fund or money, was published in the Gazette on September 29, 2021.
Accordingly, approval will be sought for recurrent and capital expenditure related to the expenditure of the Government estimated to be rupees two thousand five hundred five billion three hundred forty-six million five hundred fifty-eight thousand for the service of the period beginning on January 1, 2022, and ending on December 31, 2022.
The first reading of the Bill took place today whilst the second reading also referred to as the presentation of the Budget speech by the Minister of Finance, the Second and Third Readings, including the dates of the parliamentary debates and Elections, will be decided at the forthcoming committee meetings of the Committee on Parliamentary Business.
According to Chapter xvii of the Constitution, the Parliament has full control over public finances and must seek the approval of the House on matters including taxation, consolidated fund, or any other fund or money.
As per the Standing Orders of Parliament, not more than 26 days are allotted for the consideration of the Appropriation Bill. Accordingly, no more than 07 days will be allotted for the second reading. (NewsWire)