ADB approves USD 100 million for Sri Lanka’s water sector reforms

The Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry welcomed the approval of a USD 100 million policy-based loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support transformative reforms in Sri Lanka's water supply and sanitation sector. 

This programme aims to enhance the sector’s sustainability, climate resilience and efficiency, building on the Ministry’s efforts to ensure equitable access to clean water and improved infrastructure in response to climate change.

The ADB’s Water Supply and Sanitation Reform Programme includes two sub-programmes, designed to establish policies and strategies at the national level and to ensure the effective implementation of these reforms through the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB). 

These reforms target critical issues such as fragmented water resources management, inadequate climate adaptation and governance challenges.

The reforms introduced under this programme include the adoption of a Climate Change Resilience Roadmap, climate-resilient project appraisal frameworks, business efficiency action plans, a private sector participation framework, an investment framework and water safety plans. 

The project will enhance the performance of the NWSDB and ensure equitable water allocation, gender-sensitive service delivery and long-term sustainability.