Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget will enter parliamentary debate on November 13 after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the proposals on Thursday, with separate votes scheduled for November 20 and December 14.
The President delivered the Budget Speech in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Parliament said the presentation began at approximately 1.30 p.m. on November 12 and continued until 6.30 p.m.
Two stages of parliamentary examination
The Second Reading debate is scheduled to run for seven days, ending on November 20.
Parliament will then vote on the Second Reading at 6 p.m. that day.
The Committee Stage debate is scheduled for 19 days between November 21 and December 14, including four Saturdays.
The Third Reading vote is scheduled for 6 p.m. on December 14.
| Budget stage | Scheduled date |
|---|---|
| Budget Speech | November 12 |
| Second Reading debate | November 13–20 |
| Second Reading vote | November 20, 6 p.m. |
| Committee Stage debate | November 21–December 14 |
| Third Reading vote | December 14, 6 p.m. |
Budget presentation does not authorise expenditure
The Appropriation Bill was introduced for its First Reading on October 7.
The November 12 presentation advances the Bill to its next stage of parliamentary consideration.
Proposed allocations and financial measures remain subject to the applicable legislative process.
The Second Reading and Committee Stage serve different purposes. The latter allows Parliament to examine expenditure allocations in greater detail.
Changes made during that process may affect the final legislation.
Financial scrutiny extends beyond headline allocations
The government previously identified a proposed Rs. 2 trillion capital allocation for 2027.
That figure represents a budget proposal, rather than expenditure already incurred.
A complete assessment of the Budget requires the published estimates, including revenue projections, recurrent expenditure, borrowing requirements and ministry-level allocations.
Parliament’s November 12 procedural announcement confirms the debate timetable but does not provide a complete financial comparison with the 2026 Budget.
The official Budget Speech and estimates are available through Parliament’s Budget 2027 publication section.
Final approval scheduled for December
The 26 scheduled debate days comprise seven Second Reading days and 19 Committee Stage days.
The two votes remain future parliamentary decisions.
The government has presented its proposals, but the final form of the 2027 Appropriation Act will depend on Parliament’s consideration of the Bill and any amendments adopted during the process.
