Consensus in House on Budget 2007

KOTTE: Budget 2007 was passed at the second reading yesterday by a majority of 115 votes with 133 voting for and 18 against. The main opposition United National Party, the JVP, JHU and the SLMC voted with the Government with only the TNA opposing.

This was the first time in recent history that a budget received such all-party support. The voting was taken when TNA Parliamentary Group Leader R. Sampanthan called for a division. The Committee stage debate begins today.