The new water tariff revision will not apply for Samurdhi beneficiaries and low-income families in the estate sector, Deputy General Manager (Commercial) of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Piyal Pathmanatha said.

"The tariffs of 2012 will apply for Samurdhi beneficiaries. The same will apply for low-income household in the estate sector," Pathmanatha said.

"The NWSDB owes the Treasury and local banks some Rs. 32 billion in loan instalments and interest annually. The recent increase in tariffs is to cover a part of this debt repayment, among other costs" he said.