After 2012 had the highest ever allocation for the Defence and Urban Development Ministry, Sri Lanka has once again planned to increase the amount of money allocated to the defence budget.
Last week, the cabinet approved the 2013 Appropriation Bill, estimating government expenditure at Rs 2.52 trillion (£12 billion).
The biggest amount, as usual, is allocated to the defence ministry, with Rs 290 billion (£1.4 billion), an increase of Rs 60 billion (£290 million), sources told ColomboPage.
The President’s Office budget will also increase to over Rs 7.4 billion next year.
The finance minister Mahinda Rajapakse, who is also president, is currently preparing the 2013 budget, will present the budget to parliament on November 8.
Sri Lankan Minister’s call to arms (14 Aug 2012)
Highest ever defence budget passed (19 Dec 2011)
2012 budget fosters militarisation (21 Nov 2011)
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
