The third round of discussions between the Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) began this morning, despite the latter deciding to abstain from the third reading vote on the budget. 

The SLPP earlier said the future of the discussions between the two parties to form a common alliance would depend on the SLFP's decision on the third reading vote on the budget. 

However, the SLFP decided to abstain from voting at the last moment, allowing the government to pass the budget with a resounding majority in Parliament. 

Although many believed that the SLFP's decision to abstain would break the discussions between the two parties, the SLPP decided to continue with the talks.