Budget Office Bill passed without vote

The Parliamentary Budget Office Bill presented for the establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office was passed

yesterday with amendments and without a vote. The debate on the Second Reading of the Parliamentary Budget Office Bill was held yesterday from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm.

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has earlier approved the Bill for the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO), pending an amendment to present the Budget of the PBO within 60 days.

COPE Chairman MP Dr. Harsha De Silva had also said last week this legislation was long overdue and would add much-needed independence and transparency in analysing budgets.