President pledges record water allocation in 2027 Budget

Thursday, 9 July 2026 05:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

War-displaced resettlement and low-income housing support to receive priority

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has pledged the largest-ever Budget allocation for drinking water projects in the 2027 Budget, with the Government seeking long-term solutions to persistent water supply challenges across the country.

The President made the announcement during a review meeting at the Presidential Secretariat on the progress of projects under the 2026 Budget allocations for the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply and the ministry’s funding requirements for 2027.

The meeting reviewed ongoing projects implemented by institutions including the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Department of National Community Water Supply, National Housing Development Authority and the Ministry’s Resettlement Division.

The President said multiple institutions operating under different ministries with overlapping responsibilities had contributed to inefficiencies and instructed officials to take steps to discontinue institutions that were no longer effective or relevant.

Discussions also covered major water supply projects, including the Kandy North Integrated Water Supply Project, Greater Colombo Wastewater Management Project, Ambatale Water Supply Project and Anuradhapura North Water Supply Project.

The President also instructed officials to expedite the resettlement of people displaced by the war and implement a housing assistance programme to help low-income families complete partially constructed houses.