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Exp. up by Rs 35.5b:
Budget passed with 109 majority
by Uditha Kumarasinghe
The Third Reading vote of the maiden Budget of the National Unity
Government was passed with a majority of 109 votes in Parliament
yesterday, 160 were in favour while 51 voted against.
Thirteen MPs including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa were absent
at the voting. The JVP and the UPFA rebel MPs who call themselves the
'Joint Opposition' voted against while the UNP, TNA, UPFA members in
Government, SLMC, CWC and EPDP voted for the Budget. UNP Badulla
District parliamentarian Vadivel Suresh who threatened to commit suicide
against budget proposals for government's failure to give a salary
increment to estate workers also voted for the Budget saying that he
would do so as a member of the UNP. The vote commenced around 5.51 pm at
the end of debate, JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti called for a division by
name.
Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake winding up the debate said
Government expenditure had increased by Rs 35,500 million from the
original estimate due to the concessions and other relief being included
as amendments to the budget proposals during the committee stage.
He said the proposed tax on vehicles in the Budget had been reduced
from 25 percent to 15 percent. The Rs 10,000 allowance for public sector
employees would be added to their basic salaries in three installments
from next year. The first installment of Rs 2,500 would be given from
January 2016. Minister Karunanayake said the Government would introduce
an Act in January to ensure that private sector employers increase
salaries of employees by Rs 2,500.
The budget proposals were presented by Finance Minister Karunanayake
on November 20.The second reading was passed with a majority of 107
votes on December 2, 159 were in favour and 52 were against, while 13
Members were absent.
The Second Reading debate on the Appropriation Bill commenced on
November.21 and continued for nine days.Fifteen full days were allocated
for the Third Reading debate on the Budget from December 3 to December
19. |
