UPFA Meeting Jointly Chaired by President Sirisena And Mahinda Rajapakda Ends Without Decision: Sirsena Group To Meet Separately Tomorrow

The UPFA meeting jointly chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to make a final decision on the third reading vote of the budget has ended without a decision. 

Informed political sources said the UPFA group supporting Sirisena will meet separately tomorrow to make a final decision on the matter. 

The Joint Opposition group supporting Mahinda Rajapaksa has already decided to vote against the third reading of the budget. 

Speaking to media yesterday, SLFP MP Shantha Bandara, a Sirisena supporter, said the UPFA group supporting President Sirisena vehemently opposed the budget. 

"Therefore, we will not support the budget under any circumstances," he added. 

However, the SLFP is still undecided on whether to vote against the budget or to abstain from voting. 

The SLFP's decision to abstain from voting at the second reading vote became a point of contention between the SLPP and the SLFP. The SLPP made it clear that the future of the ongoing discussions between the SLFP and the SLPP would be determined by the SLFP's stance on the budget at the third reading vote. 

However, the ruling party secured the support of 119 MPs in the House at the second reading vote last month.