The Sri Lanka Freedom Party decided to abstain from the third reading vote on the budget. 

The party arrived at the decision after a meeting chaired by President Maithripala Siridena this morning. 

Meanwhile, the Joint Opposition, led by Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, will vote against the budget. The JO group also met under the patronage of Rajapaksa this morning to discuss the group's future course of action. 

Hence, the budget for 2019 is expected to secure a resounding majority in the House. At the second reading vote, the budget secured the support of 119 MPs in the House while 42 MPs abstained from voting.