The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) stated that no decision has been taken so far on increasing or decreasing water tariffs.

With the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) proposing an average 3.34% reduction in electricity tariffs, there are speculations of a possible reduction in water tariffs.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on the matter, NWSDB Deputy General Manager (Commercial) Piyal Pathmanatha said that the NWSDB is yet to decide on any change to the water tariffs. “No final decision has been made on electricity tariffs. When the electricity tariff revision is finalised, the relevant departments of the NWSDB will study the matter and make a decision on a tariff revision.”

The water tariffs were last increased in August 2023 under Section 84 of the NWSDB Law, No. 02 of 1974. The tariffs had been increased by that revision based on the number of units used. However, there had been no increase in the water tariffs of Samurdhi beneficiaries and estate houses. The water tariff for all other sectors had been increased and the domestic water tariff had also been increased from Rs. 20 per unit for the first five units to Rs. 60 per unit.

On an earlier occasion, Pathmanatha told The Daily Morning that the main factors taken into account in raising water tariffs were electricity charges, fuel prices, and loan interest rates. The reasons for the said factors to be considered, he said, were the need for a large electrical capacity for water pumping and distribution-related activities, the need for fuel for maintenance activities, and the fact that the NWSDB had to pay off large sums of debt taken from the general Treasury.