The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2027 (Budget Speech/presentation of Budget proposals) will take place on November 12, 2026, followed by the Second Reading debate from November 13 to December 14, Secretary General of Parliament Mrs. Kushani Rohanadeera said.

The decision was approved at a meeting of the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently (25) under the chairmanship of Hon. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne.

Accordingly, the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be presented to Parliament for its First Reading on October 7, the Secretary General said.

It was further decided that the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill (Budget Speech) will be delivered by the Hon. President, in his capacity as the Minister in charge of Finance, on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Thereafter, the Second Reading debate will be held for seven days, from November 13 to November 20. Accordingly, the vote on the Second Reading will be held at 6.00 p.m. on November 20.

Thereafter, the Committee Stage debate will be held for 19 days, from November 21 to December 14, with the vote on the Third Reading of the Budget scheduled for 6.00 p.m. on December 14.

During this period, the Budget debate will be held every day, including Saturdays, except on public holidays and Sundays. Parliament is scheduled to meet at 9.30 a.m. on each of these days.

From 9.30 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. each day, time will be allocated for the Parliamentary business specified under Standing Order 22(1) to (6). Thereafter, five Questions for Oral Answers will be taken up from 10.00 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., followed by one question under Standing Order 27(2) from 10.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m.

Accordingly, the debate is scheduled to be held from 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. On all days except the two days on which votes are scheduled to be taken, Motions at the Adjournment Time will be taken up for debate from 6.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., based on a 50:50 time allocation between the Government and the Opposition, the Secretary General further stated.

It was also approved that during the Second Reading debate, 60% of the debate time will be allocated to the Government and 40% to the Opposition, while during the Committee Stage debate, 40% will be allocated to the Government and 60% to the Opposition.

Furthermore, if a division is called for on a Expenditure Head relating to a Ministry, the relevant vote will be held at 6.00 p.m. at the conclusion of the proceedings on the respective day.