Opp. blocks Govt. attempt to restrict Budget debate to 11 days

• Govt. cites COVID-19 to limit Budget debate to 11 days
• Opp. resists move, says necessary number of days must be allocated
• Final decision scheduled for Thursday
• PM to present Budget to House on 17 Nov.

Opposition members yesterday resisted an attempt by the Government to confine the Budget debate to 11 days, citing the situation caused by COVID-19, forcing the decision to be put off for a few days.

When the Committee on Parliamentary Business met yesterday, the Government side proposed that the Budget 2021 debate be limited to 11 days due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation but Opposition lawmakers said the month-long debate which was held each year should remain unchanged and the necessary number of days allotted for the Second Reading and Committee Stage.

The 2021 Budget will be presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa who is also the Finance Minister on 17 November.

The Committee on Parliamentary Business will meet again on Thursday where a final decision on the matter is expected. Meanwhile Appropriation Bill 2020 will be taken up for debate on Thursday with the debate scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Committee on Parliamentary Business which met yesterday was chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. Others present were Deputy Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Leader of the House Dinesh Gunawardena, Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, Mahinda Amaraweera, Susil Premajayantha, Wimal Weerawansa, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Rauff Hakeem, Gayantha Karunatilleka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and Mano Ganesan.

Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake and Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff Neil Iddawala were also present.