Second Reading of Budget passed with a majority

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The Second Reading of the Budget 2015 was passed in Parliament yesterday with a majority of 100 votes. The Appropriation Bill received 157 votes in favoure and 57 votes against.

The UNP, DNA and the TNA members voted against which was taken by name. JHU Parliamentarians Ven. Aturaliye Ratana Thera and Technology and Research Minister Champika Ranawaka were absent when their names were called.

In addition, the UNP Deputy Leader MP Sajith Premadasa and UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake were also absent at the time of voting.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Finance and Planning Minister presented budget in Parliament on October 24 and the Second Reading commenced the following day which continued for seven days. At the end of the debate, Chief Opposition Whip John Amaratunga called for a division by name.

The Third Reading also known as Committee Stage of the budget will commence on Monday and will continue till November 24. The final vote will take place on the same day at 5.00 pm.