News
Water cuts in Colombo and surrounding areas until rains return
The government yesterday announced a series of 24-hour water cuts in Colombo and surrounding areas, citing receding water levels in the Labugama–Kalatuwawa reservoir system as the reason.According to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), residents in Padukka, Homagama, and Pelanwatta will face water cuts over the coming days as authorities implement measures to manage the limited resources.
General Manager (Western Central) of the NWSDB, Disna Pannila, attributed the cuts to a decrease in the water levels of the Labugama–Kalatuwawa facilities. Padukka residents are scheduled to experience a 24-hour water cut from 8:00 p.m. on April 2 until 8:00 p.m. on April 3. Following this, uninterrupted water supply is expected to be restored for four consecutive days, before further scheduled cuts on April 7.
Similarly, Homagama will face a 24-hour suspension from 8:00 p.m. on April 3 to 8:00 p.m. on April 4, and Pelanwatta from 8:00 p.m. on April 4 to 8:00 p.m. on April 5. Continuous supply will be maintained for four days after each cut, with further intermittent restrictions planned on April 9.
Chairman of the NWSDB, Engineer Chandana Bandara, warned that the Kalatuwawa Water Treatment Plant – one of the main suppliers of clean drinking water to Colombo and its suburbs—currently has only about 20 days’ worth of water remaining. The Labugama Water Treatment Plant has approximately 50 days’ worth of water in reserve.
Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Bandara highlighted that water consumption has risen sharply due to the ongoing dry weather conditions and stressed that further restrictions on drinking water production may become necessary if the situation persists.
To manage the crisis, the NWSDB has appointed a special operations committee tasked with monitoring water supply, overseeing distribution, and coordinating resources between relevant sectors. The committee will conduct daily and weekly reviews of water sources, production capacities, and consumption patterns to prevent prolonged interruptions and ensure equitable distribution.
The Water Board urged the public to cooperate by using water strictly for essential purposes during this period. Officials emphasized that responsible consumption is critical to avoid severe inconvenience, maintain minimum service levels, and preserve limited water resources until reservoir levels recover.
The NWSDB said the ongoing measures aim to balance consumer needs with operational sustainability, ensuring that supply continues until normal water availability is restored.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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