The final vote on the Budget 2009 will be taken after the third reading of the budget and the committee stage debate on the Ministry of Finance and Planning today (8).

Speculation is rife that there would be some crossovers today in the House. The UNP is expecting some of its dissidents who are now with the government to return to the party’s fold. The government is confident that its votes would increase today.

The centre of attraction in the House today will be Minister Karu Jayasuriya, who is expected to re-join the UNP. However, sources said he was not likely ‘to show his hand’ so early.

However, the second reading of the budget and the votes of the Defence Ministry and the Extension of the State of Emergency were won by the government with large majorities.