Sri Lanka's Parliament has passed two legislative amendments aimed at strengthening disease control measures and improving water supply management services.
Parliament approved the Animals (Amendment) Bill and the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday following extensive debate. According to the Department of Communication of Parliament, the Second Reading discussion on both measures spanned from 11:45 a.m. to 5:40 p.m.
The Animals (Amendment) Bill, introduced by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation on July 21, expands existing transportation regulations beyond cattle and buffaloes to include pigs, sheep, and goats. Under the revised legislation, transporting these additional animal categories will require official permits. The government has framed the measure as a public health initiative, with the primary aim being to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases—illnesses that transfer from animals to humans.
Simultaneously, Parliament passed the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (Amendment) Bill, which was submitted on the same date by the Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply. This legislation seeks to strengthen the operational performance of the NWSDB, streamline water supply service delivery, and broaden the organization's mandate and responsibilities.
Both Bills underwent their initial parliamentary presentation on July 21, 2026, before advancing to the Second Reading phase this week. The passage of both measures indicates Parliamentary support for the government's priorities in public health safeguards and infrastructure management.
