This was an historic occastion in the country's post Independence political history when the two main parties the UNP and the SLFP agreed to present a budget under a consensual government.. The government under the Presidency of Maithripala Sirisena presented n interim budget on January 29 this year. This is the first Budget of the National Unity Government.

Minister Ravi Karunanayake announced several concessions at the Budget. Among the concessions he announced was a reduction in gas and kerosene prices, as well as a cut in the prices of 11 essential commodities including local milk powder.