President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to present a relief and development oriented budget tomorrow (22 Nov) in his capacity as the Finance Minister.

The Appropriation Bill to be presented in parliament is to provide relief to the people, focused on reducing the cost of living, improving the public and private sector, continuing with infrastructure development, providing relief to people affected by the conflict, uplifting the rural sector and bringing further progress to the urban sector.

The total expenditure for 2011 is estimated to be over Rs. 1.08 trillion. Nearly 20 percent of the expenditure is for the defence sector which is estimated to be Rs 215.2 billion.

The second reading debate will be held from November 22nd to 27th while the third reading is scheduled to be held from November 29 to December 20.

President Rajapaksa who was sworn-in on Friday for his second term of office has pledged to make the country the hub of development in the five-fold areas of naval, aviation, commerce and trade, power and energy, and knowledge.