The Hon. D.V. Chanaka

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, thank you. I wish the Hon. Minister Bimal Rathnayake and the Deputy Minister well. Today, I will focus on water supply.

¶ 02 Two weeks ago, I revealed concerns regarding drinking water treatment chemicals—specifically hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) used to maintain pH and water softness. Reports indicate chromium content in a recent imported hydrated lime stock exceeded permissible levels. Typically, maximum chromium content should be 10 mg/kg. A tender was for 1,500 metric tons; 500 tons arrived. Tests at four institutions—the Industrial Technology Institute, Sri Lanka Standards Institution, and NWSDB labs at Ambatale and Ratmalana—using ISO-compliant methods, showed chromium declining from 14 mg/kg to 13, then 12, then 11, across repeated checks. Private labs were also to be engaged. Had I not raised it, another test might have pushed it to 10 mg/kg and allowed use.

¶ 03 After I spoke in Parliament, the Hon. Minister and the Chairman of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) issued media statements via the Government Information Department, claiming other countries allow higher chromium in hydrated lime—citing the UK, New Zealand, etc. I checked and found discrepancies.

¶ 04 Key point: In the Hansard of 07 February 2025 (col. 1644), the Hon. Minister stated that on 26 July 2024 SLS raised the maximum permissible chromium content to 12 mg/kg. But the NWSDB Chairman says SLS 51.5 was amended “a few days ago” in February to raise the limit to 12 mg/kg. The SLSI amendment document shows the change on 21 January 2025. I table that document. Why did the Minister state July 2024? Who is being protected?

¶ 05 Secondly, the Minister claimed many countries allow higher levels—for example Europe and the UK at 20 mg/kg, Singapore 20 mg/kg, and New Zealand 150 mg/kg. The NWSDB Chairman cited a 1997 New Zealand Water and Waste Association publication suggesting 25 mg/kg—yet even that document disclaims any liability, and it is not a national standard. New Zealand in practice follows WHO guidelines and assesses the final drinking water standard, not chromium in the lime itself, with a drinking water limit of 0.05 mg/L chromium in finished water.

¶ 06 The global trend since 1990 has been to tighten limits, not relax them. WHO moved from 0.1 mg/L to 0.05 mg/L for chromium in drinking water by 2005. Why is Sri Lanka suddenly relaxing the hydrated lime specification from 10 to 12 mg/kg? Chromium is carcinogenic, harmful to kidneys, and dangerous for pregnant women. Intake is measured in micrograms, not grams.

¶ 07 My questions to the Hon. Minister: - The failed stock is still lying in stores in Galle, Ambatale and Kalutara for four months. Why has it not been removed? Are you preparing a new tender with the relaxed 12 mg/kg spec so the same supplier can re-enter and use the old stock? - Two consecutive failed consignments tested abroad as well—how can we trust this supplier? If four labs yield four different results for the same sample, standardize the correct lab and blacklist unreliable ones.

¶ 08 This Government has historically increased carcinogenic risk via relaxed specs. A full, transparent investigation is needed to protect the public.

¶ 09 Thank you.