Mahinda avoids budget vote, 6 associates side govt.

THURSDAY, 03 DECEMBER 2015

The second reading of the first budget of the UNP – SLFP coalition government was held yesterday (2nd) evening and was passed with a 2/3rd majority in Parliament. 159 voted for the budget while 52 voted against.13 MPs were absent at the time of voting.

Despsite MPs of the Mahinda faction of the UPFA saying they would vote against the budget, Dougles Devananda, Angajan Ramanathan, Malik Jayatilleke, Arumugan thondaman, Luxman Seneviratne, A.R.A. Faiz, Wijepala Hettiarachchi of the UPFA voted with the government.

Also, Kurunegala District MP Mahinda Rajapaksa, despite going round the country attending arranged temple meetings to condemn the government and its budget, had chosen to keep away from Parliament at the time of voting.

A group of MPs belonging to Mahinda faction of the UPFA have been thoroughly disappointed due to the absence of their leader. They had stated that they felt abandoned by their leader.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dullas Alahapperuma had stated Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa kept away from Parliament that day on his request. However, political analysts say Mr. Alahapperuma’s was an attempt to quell the crisis that was growing due to Mr. Rajapaksa’s absence.

Analysts say Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa would have kept away from voting for the budget proposals to get some relief from the legal action that are to be taken against him and to be in the good books of President Maithripala Sirisena.