Vote for Second Reading of Budget on Nov. 21

COLOMBO: The debate on the Second Reading of 2024 Appropriation Bill, or the 78th Budget Speech, kicked off in parliament.

The budgetary proposals for the fiscal year 2024 were presented to the House by President Ranil Wickremesinghe,, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies.

Second Reading debate of the 2024 Budget will go on for 7 days until Nov. 21, excluding Sundays.

The vote for the Second Reading of the Budget is scheduled for Nov. 21 at 6 p.m.

It has been decided to hold the Committee Stage or the Third Reading debate for 19 days from Nov. 22 to Dec. 13, excluding Sundays.

Thereafter, the vote on the Third Reading of the budget for the financial year 2024 is scheduled to be held at 6:00 p.m. on Dec. 13, 2023.

In his speech, President Wickremesinghe underscored the transformative nature of the 2024 Budget, positioning it as a pivotal step towards shaping the country’s future and establishing a modern economic framework aligned with global trends.

He called for cooperation from all political parties, transcending partisan boundaries to collectively forge a new path for the nation through the proposed program.

In the 2024 Budget, themed “A Prelude to a Bright Future”, the Sri Lankan government has projected ambitious revenue and budget deficit targets.