News

President’s welfare budget today

Published

2 years ago

November 13, 2023

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to present the 2024 Budget to the Parliament today (13), in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.

Accordingly, the Second Reading of Appropriation Bill for the fiscal year 2024, the country’s 78th Budget Speech, is to be delivered by the President at 12 noon on Monday (Nov. 13).

Thereafter, the Second Reading debate of the 2024 Budget will be held for seven days from November 14 to 21, excluding Sundays.

Furthermore, the vote for the Second Reading of the Budget is scheduled to be held on November 21 at 6.00 p.m.

It has been decided to hold the committee stage debate for 19 days from November 22 to December 13, excluding Sundays. Accordingly, the vote on the Third Reading of the budget for the financial year 2024 is scheduled to be held at 6.00 p.m. on 13 December, 2023.

It is reported that the estimated expenditure in this year’s budget is Rs. 7,326 billion and Rs. 5,334 billion have been allocated as recurrent expenditure.

At the same time, Rs. 1,225 billion have been allocated as capital expenditure.

Meanwhile the President engaged in a discussion pertaining to the preparation and delivery of the final stage of the budget at his official residence yesterday morning (12), the PMD reported.

This is the first Budget to be presented by incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe following the interim budget presented by him after assuming the office of President.

News

Internal disputes delay LG member lists

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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Due to various issues that have arisen within many political parties during the selection of members for LG bodies, submission of name lists to the Election Commission (EC) are being delayed, reports say.

As a result, the establishment of LG bodies is expected to be delayed further.

In this backdrop, the EC has instructed all political parties and independent groups to submit their name lists within a week.

The gazette on the newly appointed members will follow only after the EC receives all lists.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

News

Ministry cancels Br. Charles’ program at Padeniya temple

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs has issued a letter over a program organized by Br. Charles Thomas.

The relevant program is scheduled to be held today (May 17) at the historic Padeniya temple and is allegedly scheduled to be held in a manner that is harmful to Buddhism.

The letter notes that the Deputy Minister has taken steps to cancel the program following complaints from various parties, citing strong displeasure expressed by the local Buddhist community.

News

Applications open for A/L Vocational stream

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2025

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The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has announced that applications are now open for admissions for Grade 12 students for the Advanced Level (A/L) Vocational stream subjects.

According to the Ministry, the vocational stream will be offered in 608 schools starting this year.

The Ministry further clarified that students who have not passed the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examination will still be eligible to apply, as O/L results will not be a determining factor for admission to this stream.

For this, students need to submit an application to the principal of the school they wish to enroll in.