President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, is scheduled to present the government's 2027 Budget proposals to parliament today (12).

This will be the third Budget of the National People's Power (NPP) government.

The Appropriation Bill for 2027 was presented to Parliament for its first reading on October 7 by Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha.

According to the Appropriation Bill, the government's total estimated expenditure for 2027 amounts to Rs. 4,992 billion.

The highest allocation has been made to the Ministry of Finance, which comes under the purview of the President, with Rs. 856 billion allocated.

Meanwhile, Rs. 590 billion has been allocated to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, Rs. 500 billion to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Rs. 458 billion to the Ministry of Defence and Rs. 328 billion to the Ministry of Education.

During his Budget speech today, the President is also expected to outline the NPP-government's revenue projections, fiscal plans and proposed tax amendments for the coming year.

Following the presentation of the Budget, the Second Reading debate is scheduled to be held over seven days, from November 13 to November 20. The vote on the Second Reading is scheduled for 6.00 p.m. on November 20.

Subsequently, the Committee Stage debate on the Appropriation Bill will take place over 19 days, from November 21 to December 14.

The vote on the Third Reading of the Budget is scheduled to be held at 6.00 p.m. on December 14.

During the Second Reading debate, 60 per cent of the allocated debate time will be given to the government and 40 per cent to the opposition.

However, during the Committee Stage debate, 40 per cent of the time will be allocated to the government, while the opposition will receive 60 per cent.

Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (11) reviewed the final document containing the proposals of the 2027 Budget at the Presidential Secretariat.

The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, was also present on the occasion.

According to the President’s Media Division, the government has made significant progress across several key sectors of the economy despite facing domestic and external challenges, including the Ditwah disaster and the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The government attributes this progress to sound economic management and strict fiscal discipline.

The 2027 Budget is expected to mark a transition from the government’s focus on economic stabilisation towards economic expansion and transformative development.

A total of Rs. 2,000 billion has been allocated for capital expenditure under the proposed Budget, reflecting an increased emphasis on investment and development activities.

Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's Budget speech is scheduled to be broadcast live today from 1.30 p.m. on TV Derana, Ada Derana and the Ada Derana social media platforms.