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Budget 2nd reading, emergency debate tomorrow
By Chandani Kirinde
The vote on the Second Reading of the Budget of the new Government will be taken tomorrow while Parliament will also vote on the emergency before sittings conclude for the year on Thursday.

Dallas Allahaperuma will also be sworn in to fill the vacancy created by the death of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar. The Government wanted the emergency extended without debate but during the party leaders meeting held last week, the TNA had requested at least a few hours to debate the regulations.

Hence the emergency debate will take place from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday while the final vote on the Appropriation Bill will be taken on Thursday evening. The UNP has decided to abstain from voting and hence the Government is likely to get a comfortable majority to pass its Budget.

Meanwhile the passing of the 18th Amendment to the Constitution has been postponed once again for want of a two-thirds majority. The amendment seeks to set up Appeal Courts in districts outside Colombo and needs the support for two-thirds of the legislators to have it approved.

The Government had wanted the Amendment passed along with the Budget but the UNP has said that as the party had decided to abstain from voting on the Budget not many of its MPs would be present in Parliament.

Hence the Amendment which was debated in Parliament more than six months ago and obtained the support of the UNP as well after the Government accepted an amendment proposed by the party, will have to wait till next year for approval.

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