Sri Lanka will not implement any revisions to water tariffs in the second half of 2026, according to Susil Ranasinghe, the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply.
The announcement effectively halts plans by local water boards to raise prices, a move that had been anticipated as utilities sought to shore up their finances amid operational challenges.
The decision provides immediate relief to consumers and businesses that had braced for higher utility costs.
Water boards in the country have been under pressure to improve revenue collection and operational efficiency, with tariff adjustments viewed as a primary lever to address financial shortfalls.
By ruling out hikes for the remainder of the year, the government signals a priority on containing cost-of-living pressures, even at the expense of utility sector profitability.
This development follows earlier reports that water boards were actively seeking tariff increases to stabilize their balance sheets.