The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has been implementing and continuously adjusting scheduled water supply limitations and cuts across the Colombo District in response to prevailing dry weather conditions and significantly dropping water levels in key reservoirs. These measures are part of a special water management plan, initially effective from April 3, 2026, and are scheduled to continue until April 10, 2026, with a crucial pause for the upcoming festive season.
Water Source Status and Conservation Efforts:
Engineer Chandana Bandara, Chairman of the NWSDB, highlighted critical drops in capacity at several water sources. As of April 2, 2026, the Kalatuwawa Water Treatment Plant had approximately 20 days' worth of water remaining, with its production capacity reduced to conserve water for 30 to 40 days. The Kalatuwawa reservoir's water level was reported at 9 feet. The Labugama Water Treatment Plant had approximately 50 days' worth of water.
Despite these localized concerns, L.S. Sooriyabandara, Director of Irrigation (Hydrology & Disaster Management), noted that most major rivers are at 75% capacity, and many of the 73 reservoirs managed by the Irrigation Department exceed 75% of their average capacity, ensuring sufficient water for the current cultivation season. The NWSDB produces approximately 2.5 million cubic meters of water daily, with about 50% supplied to the Western Province, as stated by Additional General Manager Lalith Wijesinghe.
Evolution of Water Cut Schedules:
An initial special operations committee was appointed on April 2, 2026, to monitor water sources and manage distribution. The NWSDB's plan has undergone several revisions to minimize consumer inconvenience:
* Initial Plan (Effective April 3):
* 24-hour water cuts once every three days for areas including Padukka, Homagama, Pelanwatta, and Pannipitiya. The first cuts commenced from 8:00 PM on April 2.
* Three-hour water cuts every other day (10:00 PM to 1:00 AM) for areas such as Pamankada, Battaramulla, Wellawatte, and Nawala.
* Revised Plan (From April 3, following consumer requests):
* The duration of water supply suspensions for areas including Homagama, Padukka, Maharagama, Piliyandala, and Kesbewa was reduced from 24 hours to a maximum of 18 hours, occurring once every four days (on the fifth day). Actual cut durations varied between 3, 6, 12, 15, or 18 hours in different locations, with some areas potentially experiencing no cuts.
* Padukka's 18-hour cut commenced on April 2nd at 8 PM.
* Pelanwatta was scheduled for an 18-hour water cut from April 4th at 8 PM until April 5th at 2 PM.
* Further Reduction (Effective April 5):
* The NWSDB announced a definitive reduction of water cuts for Padukka, Homagama, Pelanwatta, and Pannipitiya to a duration of 8 to 12 hours, effective from April 5th.
* Specifically, Homagama experienced a 12-hour water supply suspension from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM on April 5th.
Recent Water Cut Implementations (April 5-8, 2026):
* April 5 (Sunday): A 12-hour water cut was implemented for Padukka and surrounding areas, including Homagama, Pelanwatta, and Pannipitiya, from 8:00 PM on Sunday, April 5th, to 8:00 AM on Monday, April 6th. This was described as a scheduled, segmented water release process.
* April 6 (Monday):
* Following the conclusion of the Padukka cut, a separate 12-hour water cut commenced for Homagama and its surrounding areas (Zone No. 01) from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
* Later, a 12-hour water cut was announced for Pelanwatta and its surrounding areas, including Mattegoda, Deepangoda, Brahmanagama, Polgasowita Road, Kirigampamunuwa, and Kudamaduwa, effective from 8:00 PM on Monday, April 6th, to 8:00 AM on Tuesday, April 7th.
* April 7 (Tuesday):
* A new 12-hour water cut was announced for Homagama and its surrounding areas (Zone 02), impacting Homagama town, Wekanda, Pinketha Road, Walawwa Road, Gemunu Mawatha, Athurugiriya Road, Galavila-watta, Niyandagala, Magammana, Mahakatuwana, Deniya, and Diyagama University, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
* The NWSDB also decided to revert to 24-hour water cuts every three days for areas supplied by the Kalatuwawa and Labugama reservoirs, including Padukka, Homagama, Pelanwatta, and Pannipitiya, citing ongoing hot weather and increased consumption. Under this revised schedule, Padukka was slated for a cut on April 7th, Homagama on April 8th, and Pelanwatta on April 9th.
* A new 12-hour water cut was announced for Pelanwatta and its surrounding areas, including Siddamulla, Erawwala, Niwanthidiya, Bokundara Road, Rathmaldeniya, Maharagama Piliyandala Road, Moraketiya Road, Hiripitiya, Gorakapitiya Road, Niyandagala Road, Dolekade Junction, Kudamaduwa (up to Wela on the 255 bus route), and Pubudu Mawatha (up to Wela on the 255 bus route), effective from 8:00 PM on Tuesday, April 7th, to 8:00 AM on Wednesday, April 8th.
* April 8 (Wednesday): A 12-hour water cut was implemented for Galagedara, Meepe, and Padukka surrounding areas from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. This cut specifically affected Iridapola, Pinnawala, Wewelpana, Pitumpe, Mawathagama, Padukka, Udumulla, Arukwatta, Weragala, Bope, Malagala, Kahawala, Millawa, Kotiyangoda, Poregedara, Angampitiya, Angammana, Miriyagalla, and Yatawathura.
Festive Season Relief and Future Outlook:
Crucially, the NWSDB has confirmed that no water cuts will be imposed from April 11 to April 14, 2026, to accommodate the upcoming festive season. This decision was announced by Chairman Chandana Bandara during an inspection tour of the Kalatuwawa and Labugama reservoirs on April 3. Looking ahead, Chairman Bandara stated that if dry weather persists without significant rainfall, a new plan to manage water supply will be introduced after April 15th. He also noted that the current water management plan could be altered if rainfall occurs in the Labugama and Kalatuwawa reservoir areas within the next 2-3 weeks.
Consumer Support and Conservation Efforts:
To alleviate difficulties, the NWSDB has deployed bowser trucks to deliver water to areas experiencing low supply, even bringing vehicles from other districts to Colombo for this purpose. Water saved from the April 3rd water cut was distributed to approximately 20,000 houses in Piliyandala and Pannipitiya that had no water supply. Residents are urged to report issues via hotline 1939 for prompt action and to use water sparingly due to increased demand during the festive season and expected high temperatures until May. Consumers in affected areas will be notified of specific timings via SMS messages in advance.