FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) of Sri Lanka has announced that there will be no changes to water tariffs until June 30. This decision comes as the agency manages a challenging supply situation in the Western Province, where reservoir levels have been declining and saltwater intrusion has become a concern.
Chandana Bandara, the Chairman of the NWSDB, stated that the board typically reviews pricing twice a year, which means current rates will remain unchanged for the first half of the year. “There are no plans to increase water bills at this time. The existing rate will hold until June 30,” Bandara explained. “Any potential adjustments would only occur in the latter half of the year.”
Despite major Mahaweli reservoirs maintaining capacities between 55% and 60% following rainfall in December and January, the Western Province is experiencing a significant water shortage. The Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs have seen their levels drop drastically, with supplies projected to last only around 20 more days.
The reduced river flow has also resulted in saltwater intrusion within the Kalu and Kelani rivers, complicating water treatment efforts. Approximately 150,000 households are directly affected by the declining water reserves in the Labugama and Kalatuwawa systems.
To mitigate the impact of the shortage, the NWSDB has implemented a structured water supply schedule for communities along the High-Level Road, including Padukka, Hanwella, Maharagama, and Pannipitiya. A Deputy General Manager of the Board indicated, “We are executing a systematic water cut.”
In Padukka, which has 18,000 connections, residents will experience a 24-hour water cut followed by four consecutive days of supply. Notifications about these interruptions are being sent to consumers via SMS.
Bandara pointed out that the board’s capacity to meet increasing demand has been hindered by various economic disruptions since 2019, including the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crisis of 2022, all of which delayed critical infrastructure projects.
To address the current shortfall, the NWSDB is in the procurement phase for several significant projects, including an expansion of the Ambathale treatment plant by an additional 50,000 cubic meters and the construction of a new facility in Welivita with a capacity of 180,000 cubic meters.
“It will take approximately two to three years for the new Ambathale plant and the Kalu Ganga project to be fully completed and integrated into the system,” Bandara noted. He also mentioned that the board is planning new reservoir constructions in Paliyaru, Mannar, and the Vavuniya district to enhance national water capacity. (Colombo/Apr3/2026)
