The Third Reading of the 2026 Appropriation Bill was passed in Parliament a short while ago, securing a majority of 157 votes.
A total of 158 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the 2026 Budget, while only one MP opposed it. Two others abstained. All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) MP G.G. Ponnambalam cast the lone vote against the Budget, while ITAK MPs S. Shritharan and Thurairasa Ravikaran abstained.
The final vote on the Appropriation Bill commenced at 7.30 p.m. today (05), marking the conclusion of the 2026 Budget process. Prior to the vote, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered a special statement in Parliament.
The Committee Stage debate—constituting the Third Reading—began on November 15 and was scheduled for 17 days, including three Saturdays, concluding today. Several sessions, however, were adjourned due to adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Department of Communication confirmed that a supplementary estimate of Rs. 50 billion has been submitted to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
The Second Reading debate of the 2026 Appropriation Bill took place from November 8 to 14, lasting six days and concluding with a vote at 6.00 p.m. on November 14. It was passed with a majority of 118 votes, with 160 MPs voting in favour, 42 against, and 8 abstaining.
The 2026 Appropriation Bill—Sri Lanka’s 80th National Budget—was presented to Parliament on November 7 by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance.
