COLOMBO:  Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Friday passed the third reading of the country’s national budget for 2026 with a sweeping majority of 157 votes, completing the country’s annual budget process.

The third reading of the national budget was conducted from Nov. 15 to Dec. 5. In the final voting, 158 lawmakers voted in favor, while only one MP opposed it and two abstained.

The Department of Communication of Parliament also confirmed that a supplementary estimate of 50 billion rupees (about 162.18 million U.S. dollars) has been submitted to fund relief for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the 2026 national budget to the Parliament on Nov. 7, with the second reading of the budget taking place from Nov. 8 to 14. -Xinhua