(Lanka-e-News -14.Nov.2025, 11.40 PM) The second reading of the 2026 Budget, presented recently in Parliament by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, was taken up for the vote today — and it passed with a commanding majority, leaving the Opposition fractured and embarrassed.
A total of 160 votes were cast in favour, while 42 voted against, with 8 members abstaining. The Budget therefore cleared its second reading with an impressive majority of 118 votes.
In a striking departure from Opposition ranks, MPs **Mano Ganesan, Radha Krishnan, Palani Digambaram, and Jeevan Thondaman** voted **in favour** of the Budget. Mano Ganesan and Radha Krishnan even made special statements in the House, expressing satisfaction that the Budget proposed a **Rs. 400 wage increase for estate workers**.
Their move is particularly notable because they represent the **SJB**, a party that officially opposed the wage increase for plantation workers. The three MPs aligned themselves with the Government specifically on the grounds of supporting their constituency’s long-overdue wage rise.
In contrast, SJB, the SLPP (Pohottuwa), and the UNP fiercely resisted the proposed increase. Their stance sparked visible anger across the estate sector, where workers reacted by **lighting coconut oil lamps in temples, conducting devotional rituals, and openly protesting what they saw as a betrayal by traditional political parties.
For the first time in Sri Lankan political history, major Opposition parties collectively opposed an increase in plantation worker wages.
In effect, the SJB, SLPP, and UNP stand accused of turning their backs on some of the poorest labourers in the country.
The vote has thrown these parties into disarray, exposing — in the eyes of many — how disconnected they have become from the daily struggles of ordinary people.
The eight MPs who abstained were members of the **Tamil National Alliance (TNA)**. Although part of the Opposition bloc, they refrained from voting against the Budget, stating that they did not wish to oppose relief measures directed at plantation workers.
The debate, which began at **9:30 a.m. today (14)**, concluded around **6:00 p.m.**, after which the vote on the second reading was taken.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake first presented the Appropriation Bill for 2026 on **November 7**, marking his inaugural Budget speech since assuming office.
The Committee Stage Debate on the Appropriation Bill will continue until **5 December**, during which time each ministry’s allocations will be scrutinised and debated at length.
The **third reading vote** is scheduled to take place on **5 December at 6:00 p.m.**, bringing the 2026 Budget process to its conclusion.
--------------------------- by (2025-11-14 19:45:51)
Collection of artcles written by Gerard Adams
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