The Finance Ministry yesterday announced the amended Parliamentary program for Budget 2016.

The Appropriation Bill 2016 will be presented to Parliament today (23 October) while Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayaka will present the Budget to the House on November 20.

Twelve days have been allocated for the second reading of the Budget from November 21 to December 5 while another 12 days have been allocated for the Committee Stage debate of the Appropriation Bill.

The final vote on the Budget will be taken on December 19, two days earlier than previous scheduled.

The amended Program is as follows:

(i)Presentation of the Appropriation Bill 2016 (First Reading) – 23 October

(ii)Budget Speech (Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill) – 20 November

(iii)Second Reading debate (Twelve allotted days from 21 November

(iv)Second Reading Division – 5 December 2015, earlier it had been scheduled for 8 December

(v)Committee Stage Debate (12 allotted days from 7 December)

(vi)Third Reading Division – 19 December; earlier it was proposed to take place on 22 December