Budget vote today

Colombo (News 1st) - The vote on the 3rd reading of the budget will be held in the parliament this evening. The budget was presented in the parliament by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera on the 5th of last month followed by the second reading on the 12th. As such the third reading commenced on March 13th. Following the conclusion of this evening's vote on the 3rd reading of the budget, the 2019 budget debates will draw to a close. President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa held talks at the Parliamentary Complex last evening, flanked by MPs representing the SLFP and the Joint Opposition respectively. The two sides decided to meet again today to reach a final decision on the budget. Speaking to the media yesterday, UPFA MP Dilan Perera stated that, personally he prefers to vote against the Budget. UPFA MP S.B.Dissanayake noted that the SLFP does not need to think twice about voting against the budget. UNP Minister P.Harrison noted that the government will win the budget vote and stated that the TNA would vote for the budget as the areas battered by the war demands development. He noted that he believes, the SLFP will vote in favour of the budget as a number of ministries are held by the President. 3rd reading of the budget today

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