• Pricing formula for water tariffs to be introduced

By Ajith Siriwardana

Steps will be taken to introduce a pricing formula for water tariffs so as to reduce the water tariffs in line with the electricity tariff reduction, Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman said.
The Minister said the pricing formula would be formulated in consultation with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and the advisers of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

He said during a meeting at the Peradeniya University that the Power and Energy Minister had assured that the electricity tariff would be reduced next month and added that water tariff could also be reduced in line with that as water supply cost will reduce with the reduction in energy cost.

He said the water tariff was increased in January 2019 when the electricity tariff was increased by 66 per cent, adding that the water tariff could be reduced by a considerable amount when the electricity tariff was reduced by 50 per cent.