Second reading of Budget 2018 passed with two-thirds majority

The Second Reading of the Budget 2018 was successfully passed in Parliament yesterday with 151 voting in favour while 58 voted against it. 

The TNA voted alongside the Government.  Both the Joint Opposition and the JVP voted against the Budget. However, the Government was able to maintain a two-thirds majority. 

Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera presented Budget 2018 last Thursday (9), his maiden Budget as the Minister of Finance. Thereafter the proposals were debated for a period of six days straight (except on Sundays). 

The Third Reading of the Budget and the Committee stage is to commence today and will go on until 9 December when the final vote on Budget 2018 is scheduled to be taken at 5.00 p.m.

During today’s Committee Stage Debate, the expenditure heads coming under the purview of the President, Prime Minister, judges of the Supreme Court, office of the Cabinet of Ministers, Public Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, National Police Commission, Administrative Appeals Tribunal, Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, Office of the Finance Commission, National Education Commission, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Parliament, Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Offices of the Chief Government and Opposition Whips, Leader of the House of Parliament, Elections Commission, Auditor General’s Department, Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Audit Service Commission, National Procurement Commission, Delimitation Commission, Right to Information Commission and Department of Management Audit will be debated.