2026 Budget Passed with Significant Parliamentary Majority

06-Dec-2025

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The 2026 Budget of the government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was passed in its third reading on Dec 5 with a majority of 157 extra votes. 158 voted in favor, and only 1 against.

During the process, only the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) voted against; no other opposition parties participated in the vote.

The original Budget had been presented to Parliament on 07-11-2025. A second reading vote (Amendment to the Appropriation Bill) was held on 14-November, receiving 160 votes for and 42 against.

Following that, the committee-stage debate ran from 15 November until December 5 — a span of 17 days — after which the TNPF leader insisted on a full vote. In the electronic vote conducted at around 7:25 pm, government-aligned members and two independent MPs (Khadhr Musthān and Jeevan Thondaman) voted in favor; only MP ‎K. Kajendrakumar (Yāzh-district) voted against. Thus, the 3rd reading passed by 157 votes.

Given the nation’s severe disaster suffered in the past week, many consider even holding a full vote without deliberating relief measures controversial. Opposition spokesmen argue that other parties had decided not to call the vote.