The Finance Ministry issued guidelines to State institutions for the preparation of their Budget for 2021, putting constraints on funding for new projects,  and imposing a ban on the construction of new buildings for government institutions for the next two years.

Finance Ministry Secretary S.R. Attygalle issued a circular recently detailing the guidelines for the preparation for the Budget estimates for 2021 as well as budgetary forecast for 2022-23 to all secretaries of ministers and State ministries, chief secretaries of provincial councils, heads of department and statutory bodies.

"However, in instances where the bulk of the work is complete, it should be informed to the Treasury Department and they will consider releasing funds to finalize such projects," S.R. Attygalle said.