By Saman Indrajith

The second reading stage debate was passed with a majority of 107 votes in Parliament yesterday.

It received 159 votes for and 52 against. Thirteen Mmembers were absent.

The vote was taken at 5.25 pm at the end of second reading stage debate that commenced on Nov. 21. The debate on the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe government’s first full budget was held for nine days.

At the end of the debate JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti asked for a division on the budget proposals from Speaker Karu Jayasuriya and a vote be taken by name.

Speaker Jayasuriya moved the House for a vote.

TNA, too, voted for the budget.

The JVP and MPs belonging to the UPFA’s Joint Opposition team voted against it.

Making the winding up speech, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayke said that 182 MPs had participated in the budget debate. There were some constructive ideas and proposals as well as negative responses.”We prepared this budget with the intention of creating a new economy. We have increased the fertiliser subsidy from Rs. 35,000 million to Rs 37,500 and expanded the scope from paddy to fruits and vegetables and removed the two-hectare limit”.

The Finance Minister said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had not participated in the debate but made comments on budget proposals, addressing people at temples. He said that MP Rajapaksa drew both MP’s salary and pension entitled to him as former President.

He responded to many comments made by the Opposition in newspapers. He obtained 30 minutes more to finish his speech.

The process of voting lasted about 35 minutes.

Fifteen full days from Dec. 03 to Dec. 19 have been allocated for the Third Reading stage debate on the budget proposals and the final vote on the budget will be taken at 5.00 pm on Dec. 19.

Courtesy:The Island