Water theft opposite Water Board

Suraj A Bandara and Suranjith Perera

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NSW&DB) together with the Mount Lavinia Police yesterday arrested four hotel owners who had illegal water connections in and around Ratmalana.

“This search operation was made to nab the illegal water users and fine them for causing huge losses to the Water Board,” Moratuwa Water Supply and Drainage Board Chief Sarath Munasinghe said.

He said the loss incurred is yet to be estimated since the theft of water had been continuing for a period of time by these suspects.

One of the illegal water connections was witnessed opposite the Ratmalana Water Resources Board.

One hotel owner had distributed water to three houses via one illegal metre.

According to the Water Board another hotel owner had taken water from a toilet pipe so that no body would detect the theft. He had used this contaminated water for cooking at the hotel. The suspects were arrested by the Mount Lavinia Police. They will be produced before the Moratuwa Magistrate tomorrow.

Moratuwa Water Supply and Drainage Board is conducting investigations.