The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has identified a large groundwater source in the Mananketiya area of Urubokka, offering relief to tens of thousands of residents in the Matara District facing a severe drinking water shortage.
The discovery was made on Wednesday (April 30), Ada Derana reported. Officials said the source will help address the acute shortfall in the Pasgoda Pradeshiya Sabha area, where well water levels have been depleting even during minor droughts.
Residents had complained that wells were running dry across Urubokka town, Dampahala Road, Hulankanda Road, Heegoda Road, Amuhengoda, Horagasmandiya, Katuwana Road and Keerapitiya Road. Daily activity at the Heegoda Hospital and at schools in Hulankanda, Pattigala, Keerapitiya, Ginnaliya and Beralapanathara was disrupted, residents said. Bowser distribution — typically used as a temporary relief measure — had not been adequately maintained this time.
According to the Pasgoda Pradeshiya Sabha, more than 50,000 people from 10,000 families have been affected.
The Southern Province NWSDB Geologist, Indrajith Gamage, said the new source was identified following a request from the Pradeshiya Sabha.
The Matara recovery follows wider water-resource pressure in 2026. The Department of Meteorology has warned of below-average rainfall through September on developing El Niño conditions, and the Pallekelle estate has been hit by Victoria reservoir-linked shortages. Bottled-water overpricing has emerged as a parallel concern, with a Matara supermarket recently fined for selling bottled water above MRP.
Source: Ada Derana.
