The National Water Supply & Drainage Board (NWSDB) had its beginning as a sub department under the Public Works Department with responsibility for the water supply and drainage systems of Sri Lanka. From 1965, it functioned as a division under various ministries until January 1975 when it was converted to a Statutory Board by an Act of Parliament. The National Water Supply & Drainage Board functio
ns under the Ministry of Water Supply & Drainage. This Ministry was established in 2007 separately for the subject area of water supply & drainage. Also, the National Water Supply & Drainage Board is the only organization coming under the purview of this Ministry. Around 80% of the population has access to safe drinking water of which 30% is through piped water supply systems of the National Water Supply & Drainage Board. The NWSDB continued to extend its services on water supply and sanitation during the year 2008 with Implementation of ongoing capital projects and preparation of new project proposals for local and foreign funding. Among these, most noteworthy newly initiated projects were Kelani Right Bank (KRB) Water Treatment Plant with the assistance of DANIDA, Under full implementation of the project, the transmission and distribution facilities will be provided for the areas of Ja-Ela, Kandana, Ragama, Welisara, Ekala, Mahara, Ganemulla and Biyagama targeting to serve a population of 500,000 by 2025. The system using state of art technology assured to deliver high quality and safe drinking water to the consumers
