State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that the 2024 Budget will be presented to Parliament in the second week of October.

The second reading or Budget Speech will be presented on the 13th of November by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Finance Minister.

The State Minister of Finance said the Budget debate will be held from the 14th to the 21st of November, and the vote on the second reading will be held on the 21st.

State Minister Siyambalapitiya said the third reading or the Committee Stage Debate will be held from the 22nd of November, while plans are in place to conclude the process by the 27th of November.

He said the President, in his capacity as the Finance Minister, has focused special attention towards health and education as important investments in a country.

The State Minister added that the government also had to increase the welfare expenditure from Rs.65-70 billion, to Rs.185 billion, due to the Aswesuma program.

• President wants new approach to promote tourism; Refers to Anuradhapura Era tourism promotion
• Rescuers break through to 41 workers trapped in tunnel for 16 days in Indian state of Uttarakhand
• SLRC & SLBC will become a ‘public company’ due to continuous losses
• Japan extends Rs. 238 Mn to demining projects
• Delaying elections sets a bad precedent – PAFFREL