The National Water Supply and Drainage Board says it has no plans to restrict water supplies currently, despite El Niño-driven drought conditions affecting several districts, though officials warn future restrictions remain possible if reservoir levels fall significantly.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has indicated that water supply restrictions are not being considered at present, despite ongoing dry weather linked to El Niño conditions affecting parts of Sri Lanka. According to NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara, the board continues to operate at maximum production capacity while neither the Department of Irrigation nor the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka—which manage the country's principal reservoirs—have imposed extraction limits on water sources.

Bandara noted, however, that the situation remains fluid. Should water levels in key reservoirs decline substantially in coming months, and if the Irrigation Department or Mahaweli Authority subsequently restrict water withdrawals, the NWSDB would then reassess and potentially introduce rationing measures based on conditions at that time. The board has already initiated preventive steps to manage current climate pressures, including efforts to enhance groundwater extraction through improved tube well systems.

The Department of Meteorology has identified five districts currently experiencing dry conditions: Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Hambantota, and Monaragala. While rainfall is forecast to resume after September, officials caution that more severe drought conditions may return in the first four months of 2027. In the interim, the NWSDB has urged residents to adopt conservative water practices, restricting consumption to essential needs and minimizing waste during this challenging period.