Where does Sri Lanka's money go?
Budgets LK explains the Appropriation Bills and Acts of Sri Lanka, year by year. Every number comes from the official gazette and links to the page it was read from.
The 2026 Appropriation Bill provides for Rs 8.98 trillion of spending in total, which is Rs 145 billion more than the 2025 document. Debt servicing accounts for about Rs 50 of every Rs 100.
Headline numbers (2026)
Total spending provided for
Rs 8.98 trillion
+Rs 145 billion (+1.6%) vs 2025
Debt servicing
Rs 4.47 trillion
Rs 49.7 of every Rs 100
Pensions
Rs 78 billion
Charged on the Consolidated Fund
Borrowing limit
Rs 3.80 trillion
The most the Bill allows to be outstanding from borrowing during the year.
Where does Rs 100 go?
Each Rs 100 of the total spending provided for in the Bill, split into broad groups.
- Debt servicing (interest and repayments)Rs 49.7
- PensionsRs 0.9
- Defence and securityRs 7.2
- HealthRs 6.2
- EducationRs 3.4
- Provincial councilsRs 6.9
- Public administrationRs 6.6
- Everything elseRs 19.1
Show amounts in rupees
| Category | Amount | Per Rs 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Debt servicing (interest and repayments) | Rs 4.47 trillion | Rs 49.7 |
| Pensions | Rs 78 billion | Rs 0.9 |
| Defence and security | Rs 648 billion | Rs 7.2 |
| Health | Rs 555 billion | Rs 6.2 |
| Education | Rs 301 billion | Rs 3.4 |
| Provincial councils | Rs 618 billion | Rs 6.9 |
| Public administration | Rs 596 billion | Rs 6.6 |
| Everything else | Rs 1.72 trillion | Rs 19.1 |
Biggest ministries and groups
Biggest changes since the previous year
Departments (Heads) listed in both years, ranked by change in rupees. A change can reflect a restructure: always check the source. (2025 to 2026)
Largest increases
Largest decreases
All figures are in rupees at the prices of each year (nominal). They are not adjusted for inflation.