The Budget for the year 2009 presented in parliament by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance on the 6th of November passed with a clear majority of 42 votes on the completion of its second reading, www.news.lk Parliament Correspondent said, with 127 voting in favour of the budget and 85 against.

The UNP, JVP, TNA and SLMC voted against the budget.

This is the fourth budget presented after President Rajapaksa was elected to office in 2005.

The final vote of the Budget is to be taken on the 8th of December.