Budget Allocations for Foreign Affairs and Justice Passed with 80-Vote Majority

18-Nov-2025

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The budget allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of National Unity were approved with a majority of 80 votes. 

In the electronic vote, 87 members supported the allocations and seven voted against them.

The vote took place during the 17 November 2025 committee-stage debate on the 2026 Budget allocations for the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and Justice and National Unity.

Following the debate, Jaffna District MP and TNPF Leader Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam requested a vote on the allocation for the Ministry of Justice and National Unity, while Batticaloa District MP R. Sanakiyan of the Tamil Arasu Katchi requested a vote on allocations for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In the subsequent electronic vote, the allocations were approved with 87 votes in favour and seven against. Members of the government voted in favour, while MPs from the TNPF, the Tamil Arasu Katchi, and Archuna Ramanathan voted against. Other opposition parties, including the main opposition, abstained from the vote.