At the vote, 159 MPs voted in support of the budget, while 52 opposed, ensuring passage by a two-third majority.

Thirteen MPs were absent, including government members Buddhika Pathirana, M.K.D.S. Gunawardena and Athuraliye Rathana Thera.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, Manusha Nanayakkara, Geeta Kumarasinghe, Kanaka Herath and Lohan Ratwatte of the opposition too, were not present.

Voting in support of the budget were UPFA’s Lakshman Seneviratne, Arumugam Thondaman and Douglas Devananda.

So did, the TNA, while the JVP opposed.

Now, all the Tamil and Muslim MPs are with the government.