The Vote on Account prepared by the Finance Ministry on the Government’s expenditure from January 1 to April 30, 2020 seeking the approval for Rs.1,474 billion will be presented to Parliament on October 23. The Vote on Account will also seek the approval for limiting loans to Rs. 721 billion during the first quarter of next year.
The Committee on Parliamentary Affairs which met recently under the patronage of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya had decided to fix the debate on the Vote on Account on October 23 from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. Three Bills will also be taken up for approval after the Second Reading, Parliament sources said yesterday.
Committee on Public Finance Chairman MP M.A.Sumanthiran has informed the Committee members that they would discuss the Vote on Account prior to its being presented in Parliament on October 23.
The members of the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs have also decided that they will give another date for oral questions so that more room could be provided for the debate on Vote on Account.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera to present a Vote of Account in Parliament for the first four months of 2020.
Since the Presidential Election is scheduled for November 16, the Government decided to present a Vote on Account for the first quarter of next year. The Budget for 2020 will be presented later.
The sources said the Cabinet agreed to postpone the Budget to enable it to be based on the policies of the new Government after the election.