News
No foreign visits during Budget debates, President’s Office instructs ministers and state officials
View(s):By Chandani Kirinde
The President’s Office has instructed ministers and senior state sector officials not to undertake foreign visits during the month- long Budget debate period in Parliament commencing on February 17.
A circular has been sent by President’s Secretary N S Kumanayake to all secretaries of ministries and relevant officials.
President Anura Dissanayake who is also the Minister of Finance will present the NPP’s first Budget to Parliament on February 17 at 9.30 am, while the Second and Third Reading debates on the Appropriation Bill will commence on February 18 and continue till March 21.
The President’s Office instructed that ministers should not undertake any official or personal foreign visits during the Budget period and where necessary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should facilitate required representation for special occasions through Sri Lankan Missions abroad.
Heads of institutions and departments under the purview of ministries, chairpersons, chief executive officers and senior officials too have been told to refrain from participating in foreign visits other than those of an essential nature.
The President’s Office has also said that it is essential for senior officials to be present in parliament during the Committee Stage of the debate when the relevant subjects are taken up for discussion.
The Second Reading debate on the Budget (Appropriation Bill) will commence on February 18 and will continue till February 25. The Committee Stage debate of the Budget will commence on February 27 and continue till March 21.
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