The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to maintain the current water tariff structure during the first six months of 2026 without any revision, Ada Derana reported on Tuesday.
The decision was taken in line with a proposal submitted by the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply. Under the tariff formula approved by the Cabinet on July 15, 2024, the unit cost of water sales is required to be reviewed every six months, taking into account changes in key cost factors.
An analysis based on the financial statements of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) for 2025, however, found that existing water tariffs are sufficient to cover the institution’s total operational costs. The NWSDB Board of Directors then decided to continue the present tariff without an increase through the January–June 2026 cycle.
The freeze resolves an open question flagged on May 11, when Water Supply Minister Susil Ranasinghe told reporters that no decision had been taken on a 2026 revision and that the June 30 review would determine any change. It also means households facing higher electricity bills after the May 9 PUCSL special tariff decision and the bill increases that took effect on May 10 will not see a parallel water-bill rise in the same window.
