Sri Lanka’s 2027 Budget: Rs. 4.99 Trillion Expenditure Plan Presented Today

COLOMBO(News 1st): The 2027 budget, marking independent Sri Lanka’s 81st national budget, is being presented to Parliament today afternoon by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.

The total government expenditure for the upcoming year has been estimated at Rs. 4,992.77 billion, laying out the financial plan for the nation in the fiscal year ahead.

Explaining the significance of the budget, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando stated that the primary challenge was to rebuild a broken economy and establish stability.

Having achieved this stability through disciplined fiscal decisions and governance faster than expected, he emphasized that the 2027 budget focuses on the next phase: driving genuine economic transformation. This involves boosting investments, expanding economic activity, strengthening international ties, and enhancing human resources to actively engage all citizens in the nation's growth.

Outlining today's parliamentary proceedings, Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera noted that the session will begin at 1:30 PM with the traditional ceremonial entrance of the Speaker, the Secretarial Staff, and the Serjeant-at-Arms. 

Following initial announcements, presidential communications, and paper presentations by the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers, the President will take the floor to deliver the budget speech, initiating the second reading debate of the Appropriation Bill. 

She added that security around the parliamentary complex has been heightened with the deployment of Parliamentary Police, additional police units, the Special Task Force, and the Navy, while foreign diplomats and ministry secretaries have been invited to observe the session.

The parliamentary schedule for the Appropriation Bill sets the second reading debate to take place from tomorrow until November 20th, concluding with the second reading vote at 6:00 PM on that day. 

The third reading debate, or the committee stage, will follow from November 21st through December 14th, with the final vote scheduled for 6:00 PM on December 14th.

Among the various government sectors, the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development has received the highest financial allocation under this bill, totaling Rs. 856.86 billion.