President arrives in Parliament during Budget debate

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has arrived at the parliament complex during the ongoing debate of the Second Reading of the 2021 Budget.

The President arrived at the Parliament premises at around 11.30 and remained in his office at the parliament before attending the Budget debate at 11.40 am.

This marks the first time that the President has entered the Chamber of Parliament after the ceremonial opening of the first session of the 9th Parliament. He entered the chamber amidst a warm welcome from the parliamentarians, Sri Lanka Parliament said.

Subsequently, President Rajapaksa listened to the statements of Opposition MP Tissa Attanayake, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, and MP. Yadhamini Gunawardena.

The President left the Parliament premises at around 01.50 pm.

The second reading debate of Budget 2021 commenced at the House for the second consecutive day at 9.30 am this morning (November 19).

The second reading debate, which commenced on Wednesday (18), will go on for four days.

The vote on the second reading is scheduled for November 21st at 5.00 pm. Parliament sittings are taking place between 9.30 am and 5.30 pm during this period.