Budget 2019 today

• While the national income for 2019 is estimated at Rs.2,400 billion, the total expenditure stands at a staggering Rs.4,550 billion  

By Ajith Siriwardana 

The Budget 2019 will be tabled in Parliament today at 2.00 p.m. by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera. 

The Finance Ministry said the debate on the second reading of the budget would take place from March 6 to 12, followed by its vote on the last date, and that the committee stage debate of the third reading would be held from March 13 to April 5, followed by its vote on the last date.   

The ministry said the fifth budget of the government was aimed at empowering people and nurturing the poor. 

While the national income for 2019 is estimated at Rs.2,400 billion, the total expenditure stands at a staggering Rs.4,550 billion. 

The budget deficiency for this year is 4.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).