Secretary General of Parliament Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera stated that the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the budget speech/presentation of budget proposals) for the year 2026 will be held on 7th November, 2025, followed by the budget debate from 8th November to 5th December, as decided by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.
This decision was made at today’s (11) meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business, chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathne.
Accordingly, the Secretary General stated that the first reading of the Appropriation Bill will be presented to Parliament on 26th September, 2025.
In his capacity as the Minister of Finance, the Hon. President will present the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the Budget Speech) on 7th November, and it has been decided to allocate six days, from 8th November to 14th November, for the second reading debate. The vote on the second reading will take place on 14th November at 6:00 PM.
Thereafter, the Committee Stage debate will be held for 17 days from 15th November to 5th December and the third reading vote will be held on 5th December at 6.00 p.m.
During this period, the Budget Debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, excluding public holidays and Sundays. It has also been decided that during the Committee Stage debate period, Parliament will meet at 9.30 a.m. on Mondays and at 9.00 a.m. on all other days.
Accordingly, it has been agreed to allocate time for 5 Questions for Oral Answers and 1 Question Under Standing Orders 27(2) in addition to the business under Standing Orders 22(1) to (6) every day during this period.
It was also decided to hold the budget debate until 6.00 pm during this period and to debate Motions at the Adjournment Time from 6.00 pm to 6.30 pm every day except on vote days, based on a 50:50 ratio for the government and the opposition, the Secretary-General further stated.