Cabinet approval has been granted to amend the Water Act as the legal provisions in the Water Act are not sufficient to penalize those who use groundwater for unlimited commercial purposes.
Water Supply and Drainage Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara submitted the proposal to the Cabinet yesterday.
The media statement issued by the Cabinet Office in this regard is as follows.
The relevant regulations have been published in the Gazette Notification dated 16th March 2017 in accordance with the provisions of the Water Resources Board Act No. 29 of 1964 to control and control the use of underground water for unlimited commercial purposes and to prevent water pollution. However, it has been observed that the Water Resources Board Act does not provide adequate provisions for the imposition of penalties and related offenses. Provisions have also been made to control the possession and use of unauthorized drilling rigs which are not registered with the Water Resources Board, but the Water Resources Board Act does not currently contain adequate legal provisions to deal with the violation of those regulations.
Therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Minister of Water Supply, was approved by the Cabinet in order to introduce appropriate legal provisions to that act and to make the necessary arrangements for the above functions and other challenges faced by the Board in providing services.
