The Third Reading of Budget 2016 was passed in Parliament a short while ago, with a majority of 109 votes.

160 MPs voted in favour while 51 voted against. Thirteen MPs, including former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, were absent at the time of the vote.

The JVP and the 'joint opposition' voted against the budget.

Today's vote saw an increased majority from the Second Reading of the budget. At the second reading, it passed with 159 MPs in favour and 52 against. Accordingly, the majority was 107 votes.