What happened at Budget-voting?

What happened at Budget-voting?

Lakshman in favour of Budget

Why did 7 from Mahinda-camp avoid voting?

The second debate on the Budget held in parliament this evening concluded with a majority of 107 votes in favour. 159 voted for, while 52 voted against. While the voting took place on a nominal

basis, 13 MPs were absent in the House when the voting was done. Though there was a rumour that some members from the Mahinda faction were to switch over to the Maithripala faction during the process, there was no such thing to be seen. However Lakshman Seneviratna of the Mahinda camp opposed the standing of that faction and voted in favour of the Budget.

In the meantime Manusha Nanayakkara around whom a rumour of change of camps was woven including stalwarts of the Mahinda camp such as MPs Lohan Ratwatte, Geetha Kumarasingha, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Premalal Jayasekera, Siripala Gamlath and Kanaka Herath had all avoided the occasion. Though they were not within the House at that time, a rumour has circulated within political circles that they were within the parliamentary complex and that they were getting prepared to make a change over. The reason for this rumour is that they were avoiding this scene at a time when Mahinda-supporters were voting against the Budget. MP Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa on the other hand had been whiling away his time at his home today.

In the meantime Keheliya Rambukwella who was involved in the said rumour of changing Parties cast his vote against the Budget. Whatever it is, the Budget is expected to be read a third and fourth time and is to be confirmed in the future. This switching over may well occur in such an instance.