Sri Lanka, Dec. 5 -- The Third Reading of the 2026 Appropriation Bill was passed with a majority of 157 votes in Parliament, a short while ago.

A total of 158 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the 2026 Budget while only one MP voted against it. Another two MPs abstained from voting.

All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) MP G.G. Ponnambalam was the sole parliamentarian to vote against, while S. Shritharan and Thurairasa Ravikaran of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) abstained from voting.

The final vote on the 2026 Appropriation Bill commenced today (05) at 7.30 p.m., marking the conclusion of this year's Budget process. Prior to the vote, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered a special statement in the House.

The Committ...