• SLPP says no Budget for 2020, third VoA to cover public finances for rest of year

Once Parliament is convened in August, the Government is likely to bring a Vote on Account (VoA) to cover public finances for the rest of 2020, its third for the year, and then present a Budget for 2021 in November, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday. 

Speaking to reporters at the SLPP Head Office, National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa said that they were planning to present a VoA for this year, which will be done once Parliament is convened in August. This will be the Government’s third VoA, and will likely cover public finances till December. 

In late 2019, the former Parliament passed a VoA which was in place till April. Since then the Finance Ministry has gazetted two more VoAs, after Parliament was dissolved in early March. Sri Lanka’s Budget cycle normally runs from November to November, with the new Budget coming into effect from 1 January. The new Budget will be for 2021. 

“I do not think a Budget will be presented for 2020. A comprehensive Budget will be presented for 2021 in November. The 2021 Budget will introduce all our plans and policies to attain the development goals listed out in the manifesto,” he said.  

SL capable of ‘V-shaped’ COVID recovery: Basil