Second Reading of Budget 2026 passed

The Second Reading of Budget 2026 was passed in Parliament a short while ago by a majority of 118 votes. 

A total of 160 MPs voted in favour of the motion while 42 voted against it. Eight MPs who were in the chamber at the time of voting abstained. 

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) voted against the motion. However, opposition MPs representing the estate sector broke ranks to vote with the government in favour of the Second Reading of Budget 2026. Accordingly, United National Party (UNP) MP Jeevan Thondaman voted in favour of the Second Reading. He was joined by SJB MPs representing the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) - namely Mano Ganesan, V. Radakrishnan and Palani Digambaram. 

Explaining their decision to vote in favour of the Second Reading of Budget 2026, Mr. Ganesan stated their decision was motivated by the government's move to increase wages of estate workers through next year's budget. 

MPs from the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) abstained from voting. 

Tomorrow will be the start of the Committee Stage debate of Budget 2025.