Budget Speech Today (17)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The second reading of the Appropriation Bill, also known as the Budget Speech, is scheduled to take place in Parliament today.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, will present the 79th Budget of Sri Lanka to Parliament.

The 2025 Budget will be presented to Parliament at 10:30 AM today.

The government has projected a total expenditure of Rs. 4.218 trillion for the year 2025.

This marks a reduction of Rs. 2.760 trillion compared to the previous year, as the 2024 government expenditure was recorded at Rs. 6.978 trillion.

The second reading debate is scheduled to be held for 7 days from February 18 to 25.

Thereafter, the vote on the second reading of the bill is scheduled to be held on February 25 at 6.00 PM.

The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held for 19 days, including 4 Saturdays, from February 27 to March 21.

The vote on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled for March 21 at 6:00 PM.

The Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2025 was presented to the Parliament in its first reading on the 9th of January. 

Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake went through the final 2025 budget yesterday, at the Presidential Secretariat.