By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka will not increase water tariffs until January 2027, Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe has assured consumers, with the next scheduled review of water charges due early next year.
The Minister has said the Government would maintain existing water tariffs until the January review, when the cost of water purification and other operational expenses would be assessed before any decision on a possible revision.
He has made these remarks while attending a function at a school in Tambuttegama.
According to Ranasinghe, water tariffs are reviewed twice a year, with the next assessment scheduled for January 2027.
He has explained that any adjustment would depend largely on changes in the cost of purifying water, which the authorities would evaluate during the scheduled review.
The announcement provides some certainty for households and businesses concerned about further increases in utility costs amid continuing cost-of-living pressures.
Water tariffs are an important component of household expenditure, while changes in electricity, chemicals and other operational costs can affect the expenses incurred by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) in providing services.
The January review will therefore determine whether rising treatment and distribution costs warrant an adjustment to existing charges.
However, the Minister has not indicated whether the January assessment could result in an increase or reduction in tariffs, stressing that any decision would depend on the costs identified during the review.
For now, consumers can expect existing water tariffs to remain unchanged through the end of 2026.
Leave a comment