New policy will not privatise water resources

by Shanika Sriyananda

A committee to study the existing legislation and propose new ways to implement a policy to manage the country's water resources will be set up before the end of this month. Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the new legislation would be introduced to preserve and manage water resources to minimise the waste of water.

He said waste and pollution of water resources were high and the new policy is not aimed at privatising water resources in the country.

"The Government will never privatise water but felt the urgent need of managing water resources - ground and rain water.

There should be some legal provisions to take action against those who discharge toxic substances into waterways", he said.

The committee will include all agencies that deal with water and are entrusted to study the present legislation to recommend the new policy.