The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has introduced strict water management measures in several parts of the Colombo District as water levels at the Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoirs continue to decline rapidly due to high consumer demand and prevailing hot, dry weather.
NWSDB Chairman Engineer Chandana Bandara stated that the Kalatuwawa Water Treatment Plant currently has only about 20 days of water remaining at present production levels, while the Labugama plant has around 50 days. To conserve the limited reserves, the Board has reduced production and implemented scheduled restrictions, including daily water cuts of several hours in some areas and rotational 24-hour water cuts in others.
Affected areas include Padukka, Homagama, Pelanwatta, and parts of Pannipitiya, where 24-hour cuts have been introduced on a rotational basis starting from April 2, 2026. Other zones, such as certain parts of Battaramulla, Pamankada, Wellawatta, and Nawala, face shorter daily suspensions (e.g., three hours from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.). High-elevation areas are experiencing particularly low water pressure.
Importantly, the NWSDB has confirmed it is ready to supply water via bowsers in places where pipe-borne supply is disrupted or severely affected due to the current restrictions. Bowser services are already being deployed to support high-elevation and low-pressure zones, ensuring essential access to drinking water during the shortage.
The restrictions mainly impact consumers served by the Labugama and Kalatuwawa systems. Other parts of the Colombo District and Western Province, supplied by different sources such as the **Mahaweli** system (e.g., areas under Piliyandala and Kesbewa), are not facing similar shortages at this time.
The Department of Meteorology has indicated mainly dry conditions with no significant rainfall expected in the next 2–3 weeks, which could extend the challenges until mid-April if the dry spell persists.
The NWSDB has urged the public to use water sparingly and conserve wherever possible to reduce pressure on the system. Priority continues to be given to essential services, including hospitals, schools, and key institutions.
Regarding the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Aluth Avurudu), NWSDB Chairman Engineer Chandana Bandara announced that strict management and supply limitations will be temporarily lifted or relaxed during the festive period to meet increased demand, as far as the situation permits. However, if there is no substantial rainfall by April 12–13, 2026, the restrictions are likely to continue or be intensified beyond that date.
The Board is closely monitoring reservoir levels and will inform affected consumers through SMS alerts and other channels about scheduled interruptions and bowser deployment details. Public cooperation in water conservation is strongly encouraged until weather conditions improve and inflows to the reservoirs resume.
This situation reflects the broader dry spell affecting parts of Sri Lanka in early April 2026, prompting the NWSDB to set up a special operations committee for better coordination of water distribution.
