• Focus on digitalisation and rural economy: Ministry of Finance

Discussions related to Budget 2026 are to commence this Tuesday (5) as per the Budget Formulation Process – 2026, according to the Ministry of Finance.

When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development Deputy Secretary A.K. Seneviratne confirmed that Budget discussions were expected to be carried out within the time frame of 5 August and 4 September.

If all goes as expected, the timeline details the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for the Appropriation Bill including ministry-wise expenditure estimates being obtained on 8 September, followed by the gazetting of the Appropriation Bill on 20 September.

A discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and officials of the Ministry of Finance on preliminary budget work and the development direction of Budget 2026 was held on 16 July at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the discussion, the President had emphasised the importance of the 2026 Budget prioritising digitalisation, strengthening public transport, and integrating rural communities to the economy.

He had also stressed the importance of assessing whether the intended benefits of the project were reaching the general public, focusing on key sectors that elevated the country beyond the present context.

It was noted that strengthening mechanisms to ensure such an outcome was vital, especially in the face of the collapse in Sri Lanka’s currency due to inflation.

Along with the President, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Ministry of Finance Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, and a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Finance were also present at the discussion.

The first reading of the Appropriation Bill is expected to take place on 3 October, with the Budget speech in November.