Basil’s Budget today

• 2022 Budget presentation at 2 p.m. in Parliament
• Second Reading vote on 22 Nov., final vote on 10 Dec.
• Simultaneous interpretation in sign language for first time
• Public Gallery to remain closed; diplomats, select invitees to attend
• Attendees at FM’s post-Budget presentation tea party, too, restricted

Amidst internal and external challenges the Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa will present his maiden Budget to Parliament at 2 p.m. today.

This will be the 76th budget of an independent Sri Lanka and the second budget of the Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

The debate on the Appropriation Bill 2022 will begin the following day and continue until 10 December, Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dassanayake said.

The second Reading debate of the Budget will be held for seven days from tomorrow with the vote on the first Bill scheduled for 22 November at 5 p.m.

The Committee Stage debate will be held for 16 days with the final vote on the Bill scheduled for 10 December.

Arrangements have been made to present this year›s Budget debate in sign language on behalf of the hearing-impaired community with a sign language window telecast simultaneously with the live telecast of the Budget debate.

Dassanayake said arrangements have been made to hold sittings in Parliament in accordance with all health guidelines and regulations during the entire period of the Budget debate.

The Public Gallery will remain closed with a limited number of Government officials allowed to attend the Budget Committee session.

The Gallery will be open for special guests, invited foreign diplomatic ambassadors and high commissioners.

Following the Budget speech, the Finance Minister will host the traditional tea party. However, it will be limited to MPs, ministers, foreign ambassadors and invitees.

It has also been agreed to provide more opportunity for MPs to speak during the Budget Debate.

It has decided to limit the time allowed for questions under Standing Order 27 (2) to a maximum of 10 minutes during the budget period.

A decision was also taken to give the Government and the Opposition one day after the other for the Motion at the Time of Adjournment during the budget period. It was also agreed to continue the budget debate until 5.30 p.m. if a Motion at the Time of Adjournment is not scheduled to be held.