News
Budget passed; JHU stays away
The second reading of the 2015 Budget was passed in Parliament yesterday by a majority of 100 votes, with the absence of the two JHU members being the only problem for the ruling party. In a vote taken by name at the end of seven days of debate of the Appropriation Bill 2015, the Government received 157 votes in support of the Budget while 57 members voted against it. The UNP, the DNA (the JVP) and the TNA voted against the Budget.
JHU MPs Aturaliye Rathana Thera and Minister Champika Ranawaka were both absent when their names were called during the vote. Among the notable absentees in the House were UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and Assistant Leader Ravi Karunanayaka. They had written to the party leader saying they were indisposed.
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa wound up the debate on behalf of the Government. In his 90-minute speech, he detailed last year’s economic accomplishments of the Government. The committee stage debate will begin tomorrow and continue till Nov 24.