Govt. to present 2026 Appropriation Bill to Parliament in October

Colombo, July 2 (Daily Mirror) - The Cabinet has approved the proposal to present the Appropriation Bill for 2026 to Parliament in October 2025, with the second reading (budget speech) scheduled for November, followed by the third reading and budget debate in November and December.

The budget for 2026 will be prepared in alignment with the policy framework titled ‘Rich Country – Beautiful Country’, as well as the public financial framework and the National Policy Framework 2026-2030. The theme guiding the budget preparation is ‘Production Economy and Obtaining the Contribution of Everybody for Economic Development.’

Priority will be given to the key areas outlined in the national policy framework, with a special focus on rural development initiatives. In accordance with the Public Finance Management Act No. 44 of 2024 and the Government Policy Statement, all Ministries are required to submit their proposals to secure necessary funding for projects and programmes under their respective subject codes.