Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe has assured that water tariffs will not be increased during 2026.

The Minister said a review of water tariffs is scheduled for January 2027, at which point a decision will be taken on whether to increase, reduce, or maintain current charges.

He made the remarks while speaking to the media after a discussion at the Kandy District Secretariat on drinking water issues.

Minister Ranasinghe noted that approximately Rs. 2 billion has been allocated to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board this year for projects in the Kandy District. These include laying new pipelines, repairing existing ones, and upgrading purification centers.

He added that several projects have already been launched to address drinking water problems in the district, while some have been temporarily halted and new proposals submitted. The Water Supply and Drainage Board is reviewing all of these to take urgent steps to resolve public concerns.

The Minister further stated that the El Niño weather condition has not yet affected water sources managed by the Water Supply and Drainage Board or the Department of Community Planning, but contingency measures are being prepared to address any future impact. (Newswire)

The post Will the water tariff be hiked this year? Minister replies appeared first on Newswire.

The Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply has drawn attention to allocating provisions from the 2027 Budget to complete houses left unfinished across the country.

Minister Susil Ranasinghe told Parliament’s Advisory Committee that action will be taken based on recommendations from a five‑member panel co‑chaired by two former Ministry Secretaries. 

The committee has already begun gathering data on stalled housing projects, identifying those in usable condition, and preparing proposals for next steps.

According to the Minister, nearly 5,000 housing projects started under previous governments remain incomplete due to loans and aid funds not being fully disbursed. Final decisions on these projects will be made once the committee submits its recommendations.

Ranasinghe added that assistance will be provided next year to families needing completion of partially built houses, with around 2,000 families expected to benefit.

Members of Parliament at the meeting also raised housing and water supply issues in their constituencies. 

The Ministry agreed to convene a special session with all stakeholders to discuss housing challenges, including projects for low‑income families in the Colombo District. (Newswire)

The post Budget 2027 to address stalled housing projects appeared first on Newswire.

Minister of Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe says the current water levels in the Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs are adequate to ensure uninterrupted supply for the next three months, even if no rainfall is received during that period.

Speaking to the media, the Minister noted that while forecasts under El Niño conditions suggest drier‑than‑expected weather in August and September, experts from the Water Supply Board have confirmed that the reservoirs’ present capacity is sufficient to meet demand.

He added that no decision has been taken on imposing water cuts, and authorities expect no risk within the next two months.

However, Ranasinghe cautioned that changing weather patterns could alter the situation. (Newswire)

The post El Nino – Minister says reservoir levels sufficient for three Months appeared first on Newswire.

The government has decided not to increase water tariffs during the next six months, despite prevailing economic pressures, Minister of Water Supply Susil Ranasinghe announced. 

He explained that although water tariffs are reviewed every six months under the annual procedure, no revision was made in the first half of the year, and rates will remain unchanged from July 1 to December 31.

The Minister cited the absence of major additional expenditure for water purification as a key reason. 

While electricity bills rose by 18%, he noted this impacts only about 12% of total water costs, adding just Rs. 2.50 per unit, a minimal increase, he said. 

“Costs have risen only slightly in recent months. Therefore, to avoid inconveniencing the public, the government has decided not to revise water tariffs for the next six months as well,” Ranasinghe said.

With this decision, consumers will continue to access water at current rates, free from any additional financial burden in the months ahead. (Newswire)

The post No water tariff hike for next six months – Minister appeared first on Newswire.

The Minister of Water Supply, Susil Ranasinghe, has clarified that no decision has yet been taken on whether water tariffs will be increased this year.

Addressing the media, Minister Ranasinghe said the water bill is reviewed twice annually, on January 30 and June 30.

He further said that any tariff revision will only be decided at the June review. 

“We cannot say anything yet. We can only decide based on the situation at that time,” the minister added. (Newswire)

The post No decision yet on water tariff revision – Minister appeared first on Newswire.

Deputy Minister of Lands and Irrigation Susil Ranasinghe says President Anura Kumara Dissanayake restructured Sri Lanka’s debt, which even former President Ranil Wickremesinghe could not. 

Speaking to the media, the Deputy Minister said that not only is restructuring of the debt being undertaken, but the economy is also being transformed into one that would commence repayment of debts by 2028.

“So, please stop causing unnecessary turmoil amongst the village people. Within these 09 months, the President has played a good match. Some from the SLPP are having some fun holding on to the rocket incident. Watch out, you might fall off at that same speed,” he warned. (Newswire)

The post “President AKD restructured debt, which even Ranil could not” appeared first on Newswire.

Deputy Minister of Lands Dr Susil Ranasinghe says measures have been taken to launch a special investigation into the lands that were distributed for various purposes from 2015 to date. 

Speaking to reporters after attending an event in Anuradhapura, the Deputy Minister said legal action will be initiated following the completion of the investigations. 

Stating that lands are distributed to industries and for agriculture through the LRC, he pointed out that, however, in the recent past, there were a lot of issues related to the distribution and assigning of lands. 

“A decision was taken at the recent Cabinet meeting, to conduct probes to ascertain who has been given land by the Land Reform Commission since 2015, for what projects, and under what criteria. It was decided to suspend land allocations through the LRC until the investigations are conducted,” he said. 

Deputy Minister Susil Ranasinghe said the investigations will be carried out promptly to determine to whom the land has been allocated and whether any corruption or irregularities have occurred. (Newswire)

The post Govt to probe lands allocated from 2015 appeared first on Newswire.