Minister says government will get 118 votes without the JVP support

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the finance minister, presented the 2008 budget proposals on 07 November.

The 225-member parliament is to vote on Monday for the second reading of the proposals.

The government claimed to have clear 12- member majority as both camps are still trying to woo more parliamentarians.

UNP claim

"The opposition would only manage 106 votes if all opposition parties vote against the budget," Chief Government Whip, Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopullai told BBC Sandeshaya.

Government's claim For government - 118 UNP - 46 TNA -22 JVP - 38 Wijayadasa Rajapakshe - not decided Nandana Gunathilake - not decided Minister Fernandopullai

The main opposition, United National Party (UNP), meanwhile vowed to defeat the government at the crucial vote.

"We expect all other opposition parties and the SLFP (mahajana wing) would vote against the budget if they are genuinely concerned about Sri Lankan public," UNP Genarel Secretary Tissa Attanayake said.

Attanayake claimed that the government is trying to persuade and intimidate parliamentarians not to vote against the government.

Government 'worried'

"If the government is certain about the victory, why they are so worried and trying even to bribe the MPs?" Tissa Attanayake questioned.

He said all political parties including those representing minorities will have to take responsibility for "anarchist situation that would follow" if they vote with the government.

	UNP says govt. is trying to intimidate and buy parliamentarians

Many political parties representing Sri Lanka's minorities, SLMC, CWC and UPF have re-affirmed their support to the government, minister Fernandopullai said.

The Sinhala nationalist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is yet to decide on the course of action.

The JVP which won 39 seats in 2004 April parliamentary elections joined the Kumaratunga-led government but later resigned protesting a post-tsunami deal with the LTTE.

The JVP, however, supported Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency in 2005 November Presidential elections and voted for his budget proposals thereafter.

TNA MPs 'threatened'

The main Tamil nationalist party, TNA, with 22 votes and smaller dissident groups are expected to vote with the main opposition, UNP.

If the government is certain about the victory, why they are so worried and trying even to bribe the MPs UNP Gen. Sec. Tissa Attanayake

Tissa Attanayake accused government of removing security of five Batticaloa district TNA parliamentarians in an attempt to intimidate them.

Rejecting the accusation Minister Fernandopullai said the government did not count on TNA vote.

"The TNA was ordered by Prabhakaran ( LTTE leader) to vote against the government. We are not counting on TNA to win the budget vote," he told BBC Sinhala.com.