Sri Lankan Parliament passes second reading of 2026 appropriation bill

The Sri Lankan Parliament has approved the second reading of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, following a week-long debate. The budget was passed with 160 votes in favour, 42 against, and 8 abstentions. Notably, principal opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Mano Ganesan, V. Radhakrishnan and P. Thigambaram supported the budget despite their coalition being in opposition. The third-reading or Committee Stage debate begins tomorrow and will run for 17 days with the final vote scheduled for Dec...