Sri Lanka sets November 12 Budget presentation and debate timetable
Updated November 12, 2026
Update, November 12: Budget speech delivered
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake began presenting Sri Lanka's 2027 Budget in Parliament at 1.40 pm Sri Lanka time on November 12, according to the published report's report. The published report also reports that the sitting had begun under the Speaker and that the Cabinet approved the proposals earlier that morning. This update replaces the earlier forward-looking status below; the original timetable and publication record are retained.
In the published report's account of the opening remarks, the President described a prosperous life for all citizens and economic renewal as central aims. He said the public had given his administration a mandate to change the earlier pattern of family rule. Those are the President's political statements, not an independent assessment that the stated goals have already been achieved.
He also cited the Middle East conflict and the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz as pressures on energy supplies and the economy. This is an account of what he said in the Budget speech, not a separate live maritime-status bulletin. Specific tax, lending, energy and infrastructure proposals are reported separately so their individual conditions are not confused with the procedural timetable.
The second-reading debate is scheduled for November 13-20. Presenting the speech and securing Cabinet approval are not the same as Parliament passing the Budget or every measure taking immediate legal effect. The earlier announced voting and committee-stage timetable remains below for context.
Sri Lanka's 2027 Budget is scheduled to be presented in Parliament on November 12 by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his role as finance minister. The parliamentary sitting is due to begin at 1.30pm Sri Lanka time.
The Budget speech forms the second reading of the Appropriation Bill. Parliament's announced timetable places the second-reading debate between November 13 and November 20, with a vote at 6pm on November 20.
The committee-stage debate is scheduled from November 21 to December 14, covering 19 days including four Saturdays. The final third-reading vote is set for 6pm on December 14.
The bill was introduced for its first reading on October 7. During the Budget period, daily debate is scheduled from 11am to 6pm, following the published report parliamentary business and question periods. The timetable does not itself confirm any proposed tax change or spending measure; those require the Budget presentation and subsequent parliamentary decisions.
Further detail
During the Budget period, routine parliamentary business is scheduled for 9.30-10 am, oral questions for 10-10.30 am, and questions under Standing Order 27(2) for 10.30-11 am. The Budget debate then runs from 11 am to 6 pm. All times are Sri Lanka time.
Except on the November 20 and December 14 voting days, the 6-6.30 pm slot is reserved for adjournment motions. These are the announced parliamentary procedures, not evidence that the Budget proposals have already been passed.