Defeated expenditure heads - FM to present two supplementary estimates

Finance Minister (FM) Mangala Samaraweera will reportedly present two separate supplementary estimates to Parliament today seeking allocations two ministers since their expenditure heads announced in the budget were defeated.

The expenditure heads of the Megapolis and Western Development Ministry and the Home Affairs, Local Government and Provincial Council Ministry were defeated in Parliament when taken up for voting on March 28.

According to the Standing Orders that govern parliamentary business, fresh supplementary estimates have to be presented in such cases.

The Cabinet today approved the two supplementary estimates.

The expenditure heads had been defeated on two separate occasions - in 1992 and 1998.

House Leader Lakshman Kiriella said the government did not anticipate a vote because there had been an understanding reached among the party leaders not to call for a division during the committee stage.

However, JVP MP Nalinda Jayatissa said the minutes show no such agreement had been reached at the party leaders meeting. (Kelum Bandara)