Parliament sets dates for 2027 Budget debate and votes

The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for 2027, marking the presentation of the government’s Budget proposals, will take place in Parliament on November 12, 2026.

According to a Parliament statement, the Budget Speech will be delivered by the President in his capacity as the Minister in charge of Finance, while the entire Budget process is scheduled to continue until December 14.

The timetable was approved by the Committee on Parliamentary Business at a meeting held on September 25 under the chairmanship of Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne.

Accordingly, the Appropriation Bill for 2027 will first be presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 7.

The Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill, or the Budget Speech, will then be delivered on Thursday, November 12.

Following the presentation, the Second Reading debate will be held for seven days from November 13 to November 20, with the vote on the Second Reading scheduled for 6.00 pm on November 20.

The Committee Stage debate will subsequently be held for 19 days, from November 21 to December 14.

The final vote on the Third Reading of the 2027 Budget is scheduled to take place at 6.00 pm on December 14, bringing the parliamentary Budget process to a conclusion.

During the Budget period, debates will be conducted every day, including Saturdays, except on Sundays and public holidays. Parliament will convene at 9.30 am on each sitting day.

From 9.30 am to 10.00 am, time will be allocated for parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6).

Five Questions for Oral Answers will then be taken up from 10.00 am to 10.30 am, followed by one question under Standing Order 27(2) from 10.30 am to 11.00 am.

The Budget debate itself will be conducted from 11.00 am until 6.00 pm.

On all sitting days other than the two days on which the Second and Third Reading votes are scheduled, Motions at the Adjournment Time will be debated from 6.00 pm to 6.30 pm, with the available time divided equally between the Government and the Opposition.

The Committee on Parliamentary Business has also approved the allocation of debate time between the Government and Opposition.

During the Second Reading debate, 60% of the available debate time will be allocated to the Government and 40% to the Opposition.

The allocation will be reversed during the Committee Stage debate, with 40% of the time allocated to the Government and 60% to the Opposition.

The Secretary General further said that if a division is requested on an Expenditure Head relating to a Ministry during the Committee Stage, the relevant vote will be held at 6.00 pm at the conclusion of proceedings on that day. (Newswire)