(Lanka-e-News -20.Dec.2015, 9.00AM) The third reading of the budget 2016 that was presented in parliament by the Finance minister Ravi Karunanayake on the 20 th of November concluded today, and it was passed with a 2/3 rd majority- that is 109 more voting for it. 160 voted for while 51 voted against it. 13 MPs were not present at the time of voting .
At the second reading of the budget earlier on , 159 voted for it and 52 against meaning that one more MP has voted for and one more M.P. has voted against it this time.
The JVP voted against the budget toeing the line of the Rajapakse den of crooks . The TNA which is the main opposition party voted for it.
Among the 13 parliamentary members who were absent at the time of voting were : Kurunegala district M.P. Mahinda Rajapakse, Wimal Weerawansa, Pavithra Wanniarachi, Janaka Bandara, Geetha Kumarasinghe and Manusha Nanyakkara .
During the committee stage of the budget today , expenditure allocations in respect of several Institutions were debated :Ministry of national policy and economic affairs , development alternatives and international trade ministry, and Finance ministry were debated. Later the voting commenced at 5.00 p.m.
The final reading of the budget was passed after 16 of its proposals were amended in compliance with the request of the people .This is the first time in Sri Lanka a government had bowed to the wishes of the people signaling the government’s strong affinity and love towards upholding Democracy.
Ten of the amendments made of the 16 are as follows :
1.The EPF and ETF funds will not be merged.
2. When a vehicle is being purchased , it can be done at the earlier price in accordance with the letter of credit already opened.
3. It has been agreed that a decision shall be taken in January 2016 regarding electric vehicles.
4.The decision to have Government accounts in private banks shall not be implemented under any circumstance.
5.It has been decided that the subsidy for paddy be extended to coconut, Tea , Rubber , and to subsidiary crops including vegetables and fruits .
6.The downward revision of vehicle emission test fee to Rs. 1500.00
7.To halt the decision taken to couple the Divineguma fund alias Samurdhi fund with the National savings bank .
8.To preclude the banks from charging a fee when one’s own monies are being withdrawn .
9. Ban on import of coconuts .
10.The decision to prohibit banks from engaging in providing leasing facilities to be withdrawn.
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by (2015-12-20 03:45:18)
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