• 19 members were absent during the time of voting. The ten TNA MPs and SJB MP Kumara Welgama, Maithripala Sirisena were among the absentees

By Yohan Perera 

The third reading of the budget was passed in Parliament by a majority of 43 votes with 123 members voting in favour and 80 against. Some 19 members were absent during the time of voting. The ten TNA MPs and SJB MP Kumara Welgama, Maithripala Sirisena were among the absentees,  SJB MP M. Velukumar abstained and Tamil. 

National People’s Front MP C. V. Vigneswaran abstained from voting. Daily Mirror learnt that Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) will take disciplinary action against MP Velukumar. TPA leader Mano Ganesan is expected to make a statement with regard to the matter today.  

Independent MPs from the opposition John Seneviratne and Priyankara Jayaratne, and Duminda Dissanayake voted in favour.