ADB funds water reforms project

Sri Lanka has received USD 200 mn loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to implement a water management programme, the Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry announced yesterday (05).

This was announced following a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of a visiting ADB delegation.

In terms of the agreement with the ADB, the following challenges would be addressed:

a) A new water resources policy to effectively manage the country’s water resources;

b) The establishment of a corporate strategy for the Water Board;

c) A climate resilience roadmap;

d) A new tariff policy;

e) Modern water safety standards;

f) The creation of an environmental and social unit, within the Water Board; and

g) The introduction of public-private partnerships in the water supply sector.

A senior official said that the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development-led water reforms represented the most ambitious set of reforms undertaken in the water sector, since the establishment of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board nearly 50 years ago.

These comprehensive reforms were meant to transform the water sector and ensure sustainable water management for future generations, the official said.