Citing FM report Patali contradicts NWSDB claim

Leader of Eksath Janaraja Peramuna and SJB MP Patali Champika Ranawaka has said that according to a report submitted to Parliament by the Finance Ministry, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) had been earning profits during the past six months.

Therefore, the recent tariff increases couldn’t be justified, the former Minister said, warning of the possibility of the government planning to privatise the NWSDB.

Ranawaka was responding to media queries at the handing over of his party’s policy document to the Sri Lanka Federation of the Visually Handicapped on 04 August, the day after the government announced a new pricing formula.

Referring to the ongoing talks between the NWSDB and the private sector, the parliamentarian said that the revision of rates could be a bid to entice private investment. Citing the continuing crisis, experienced by consumers in the UK, due to the privatization of water supply, the former JHU heavyweight said the government shouldn’t do so.

The NWSDB has repeatedly said that there was no option but increase rates to cut down on growing losses. (SF)