The second reading of the 2013 Budget was passed in Parliament with a majority 103 votes a short while ago as 156 members voted for and 53 MPs voting against it.
The United National Party (UNP), Tamil National Allaince (TNA) and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) voted against the budget when Parliament went for division on Budget 2013 this evening, Ada Derana reporter said.
Budget 2013 was presented in Parliament by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 8 and following the debate on it for seven days was taken for vote.
The main opposition UNP had announced that it would vote against the budget. However, as the ruling coalition UPFA has secured more than two-thirds majority of 161 members the combined opposition has only 63 members.
The Supreme Court after hearing a petition against the Appropriation Bill had ruled that the Bill needs to be passed by a special majority of two-thirds if the clause that was subject to scrutiny by the SC was not amended.
