*Over 300,000 families in several districts to benefit
* National Water Board pumps over Rs.175 Billion
* President to commission Thambuttegama Water Project on July 9

Seven large-scale water infrastructure initiatives will be vested in the public in 2026, with an investment exceeding Rs.175 billion, strategically engineered to deliver clean, reliable water access to over 300,000 families across multiple districts.

Marking a significant milestone in the country’s public utility infrastructure, these initiatives will be launched through the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. By the end of July 2026, the Laggala New Town Water Supply Project, completed at a cost of Rs.4,995 million, is planned to provide water to 6,800 families.

During the same period, the Thambuttegama Water Supply Project, completed at a cost of over Rs.32 Bn, will benefit 25,000 families.

In addition, the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the second phase of the Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project, implemented with 52 billion financial provisions from the Government and a credit facility from the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) is scheduled to be held in July. It is expected to benefit 67,000 families.

The Polgahawela, Pothuhera and Alawwa Integrated Water Supply Project,

constructed with a massive investment of Rs.20,207 million is scheduled to be opened in September 2026. This will provide solutions to the drinking water problem of 38,000 families in those areas.

In December 2026, the Kandy North – Pathadumbara Integrated Water Supply Project, which incurs a cost of Rs.65,000 million and operates on World Bank assistance and Government provisions, is scheduled to be opened. This is the largest project completed in 2026, and it is expected to benefit 173,000 families.

The Water Supply and Drainage Board expresses confidence that with the completion of all these projects, the water coverage in the country will rise to a significant level, and the drinking water requirement of the people in many parts of the country, including areas where kidney disease is highly prevalent, will be further secured.

The opening of the Thambuttegama Water Project and the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Kebithigollewa Water Project will be held on July 9 and 10 under the patronage of the President.