3rd Reading of 2017 Budget Debate Today

The final day of the 3rd reading of the 2017 Budget or the Committee Stage Debate will take place today(10).

Accordingly, the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Finance will be taken up for debate.

The final vote on the 2017 Budget will be taken following the conclusion of the debate. The 2017 Budget proposal was tabled in Parliament on the 10th of November by Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake.

Subsequently, the 2nd reading of the 2017 Budget was held from the 11th to the 18th of November. The 3rd reading or the Committee Stage Debate which commenced on the 19th of November is scheduled to conclude today.

In the meantime , United People’s Freedom Alliance MP Vidura Wickramanayake has requested Sri Lanka Freedom Party MPs to cast their vote against the 2017 Budget today.

 MP Wickramanayake said the request is based on the regression the country will face if the Budget proposal is passed.

MP Vidura Wickramanayake said several amendments are currently in place, claiming the 2017 Budget proposal will see various amendments in the future.

Accordingly, the Parliamentarian said the government will amend the Budget proposals after they are passed in Parliament. MP Vidura Wickramanayake called on all SLFP Parliamentarians to oppose the Budget based on the policies of the SLFP.

The government says the 2017 Budget proposal will be passed with a clear majority today.