The Secretary General of Parliament, Kushani Rohanadeera, announced that the second reading of the Appropriation Bill (the 2026 Budget Speech) will take place on 7 November 2025, followed by the budget debate from 8 November to 5 December 2025.
This decision was made at the Committee on Parliamentary Business meeting held today (11), chaired by Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramarathne.
According to the Secretary General, the first reading of the Appropriation Bill will be presented to Parliament on 26 September 2025. The President, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, will deliver the second reading of the Bill on 7 November. A six-day period from 8 to 14 November has been allocated for the second reading debate, with the vote scheduled for 14 November at 6:00 p.m.
The Committee Stage debate will then take place over 17 days, from 15 November to 5 December, with the third reading vote scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on 5 December. Budget debates will be held daily, including Saturdays, but excluding Sundays and public holidays. Parliament will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays and at 9:00 a.m. on other days during this period.
Each day, time will also be allocated for five Questions for Oral Answers and one Question under Standing Order 27(2), in addition to business under Standing Orders 22(1) to (6). The debates will continue until 6:00 p.m., followed by Adjournment Time motions from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with a 50:50 allocation between the government and the opposition, except on vote days.
