Sajith questions President’s budget readiness over missing expenditure data

The Sri Lankan government has requested an indefinite extension to answer critical parliamentary questions regarding the execution of the current financial year's budget.

The request was made in Parliament on Thursday by Deputy Finance and Planning Minister Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando following a formal challenge by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa concerning ministry expenditure and foreign investment targets ahead of the upcoming 2027 Budget presentation on 12 November.

Parliamentary budget clash

Minister Fernando informed the house that compiling the extensive data requested by the opposition was not immediately possible and would require a substantial duration.

He said that annual performance evaluations typically occur at the conclusion of the financial year, with ministries submitting periodic updates to Parliament through online reporting platforms.

Addressing the methodology behind state financial planning, Minister Fernando said that the administration operates on a performance-based, output-oriented framework rather than a zero-based budgeting system where allocations are reassessed annually from scratch.

He added that constructing a national budget requires evaluating current economic conditions, future developments, global trends, and strategic objectives rather than merely reviewing previous annual expenditure.

In response, Premadasa questioned how the President, serving as Finance Minister, could deliver the upcoming fiscal address without access to precise data on ministry expenditure, project progress, and foreign direct investment.

He argued that the requested metrics on revenue, spending, and implementation are directly relevant to the upcoming address and should already be readily available within the ministry.

The opposition leader had demanded comprehensive figures detailing the physical and financial progress of all 2026 budget proposals as of 30 September, alongside details regarding unspent funds and allocation revisions across state institutions.

His query also encompassed a detailed breakdown of foreign aid and loan-funded development projects, as well as the total foreign direct investment received against the annual target by the end of the third quarter.