The Appropriation (Amendment) Bill for the remainder of the fiscal year 2022 was passed in Parliament with amendments yesterday by a majority of 115 votes.

Announcing the results of the division which followed the conclusion of the debate on the Second Reading of the Interim Budget 2022, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that 120 lawmakers had voted in favour, while five voted against and 43 abstained from voting.

The vote on the Second Reading was sought by Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Three legislators from SJB and two MPs from All Ceylon Tamil Congress voted against the interim Budget.

During the Friday debate, both the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), and a fraction of ruling party said they have decided to refrain from voting.

The debate on the second reading of the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill presented by President and Finance Minister Wickremesinghe on Tuesday took place in Parliament over the past three days.

Finance Ministry says working on implementing prior actions agreed with IMF