The second reading vote on the budget will take place today. 

The vote is of significance as the opposition has raised doubts about the government's ability to pass the budget in Parliament with a simple majority. 

The United National Party is short of at least seven members to demonstrate a clear majority in the House. The party will have to rely on minor parties, especially the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), to ensure the passage of the budget for 2019. 

The Tamil National Alliance, which has 14 seats in the 225-member legislature, has indicated that it will offer conditional support to the budget presented to Parliament by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera last week. 

Today's vote will give a clear idea whether the government is in a position to pass its budget in Parliament, avoiding a political impasse. The third and final vote on the budget is scheduled to take place on April 05.