Appropriation Bill passed

Second reading of Budget 2009:

by Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandeasen Marasinghe

The second reading of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2009 was passed with a majority of 42 yesterday in Parliament. The vote was held at 5 p.m. after the debate on the second reading was over that lasted seven days.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa introduced the fourth Budget proposals of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government as the Finance Minister on November 6. The third reading debate of the Appropriation Bill commencing Monday will end after the last vote on December 8.

Earlier, when the second reading was over the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) asked for a division.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and the National Freedom Front (NFF) voted in favour while the United National Party (UNP), JVP, TNA and SLMC voted against. 127 members voted in favour while 85 voted against.