The 2024 budget also contained proposals to borrow and sell assets, he said.

The regulations were published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2218/68 dated Friday, March 12, 2021. 

“We’re waiting to see if this year’s budget too will be limited to a presentation,” he said.

“The president did this from a very difficult place; we need not be disingenuous about that."

Police presence was seen around Sri Lanka's parliament as President began presenting 2024 Budget

The SLPP can defeat the upcoming budget if they want a parliamentary election, he said.

Sri Lanka must digitise legal system, expedite court cases to attract investors, minister of foreign affairs says

Government to revisit 'River for Jaffna' project proposed by engineer decades ago, and in the pipeline for years

It is seen as a direct threat to the independence of the judiciary, the BASL said.

They rarely see the need for such reintegration as they do not understand the economic and labour market realities.