News

Parliament announces budget debate schedule

Published

4 weeks ago

February 15, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, will present the NPP government’s first Budget to Parliament on Monday (17 February) at 10.30 am.

The debate on the Appropriation Bill (Budget Debate) is scheduled to be held from 18 February to 21 March, 2025.The Second Reading debate is scheduled to be held for seven days from 18 to 25 February.

The vote on the Second Reading of the Bill is scheduled to be held on 25 February at 6.00 p.m.

The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held for 19 days, including 4 Saturdays, from 27 February to 21 March. The vote on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill will be held on 21 March 21 at 6.00 pm.

During the budget period, the time from 9.30 am to 10.00 am has been allotted for five Questions for Oral Answers, and the Budget Debate will be held from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Also the time from 6.00 pm to 6.30 pm has been allotted for Motions at the Adjournment Time on all other days, except for 25 February and 21 March, when the votes are taken.

The Appropriation Bill for the year 2025 was presented to Parliament for the First Reading on 9 January 2025.

(sundaytimes.lk)

(This story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Misuse of plantation funds and lands exposed in parliament

Published

1 hour ago

March 15, 2025

editor

Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyarathna, addressed Parliament, alleging that numerous associates and officials, including former ministers, have recently received substantial sums of money and government lands under the pretext of various cultivation projects, which were subsequently not implemented. He announced that investigations will be initiated into these matters.

Minister Vidyarathna accused former Minister Salinda Dissanayake of acquiring 76 acres of fertile land from the Kurunegala Plantation Company through a company he personally established.

Additionally, he claimed that a friend of former Minister Arundika Fernando was allocated 21 acres of fertile land belonging to the same company, misrepresented as barren land, with the transaction allegedly authorized by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister further alleged that Anoma Gamage, wife of former Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage, received 140 million rupees purportedly for an agricultural project, which was never executed.

These allegations were presented during the debate on the expenditure head of the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure.

He also stated that former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda was granted 180 million rupees for a cultivation project, and that 82 million rupees were given to the son of former Ministry Secretary Bandula Wickramarachchi for a similar initiative.