The Hon. Anura Karunathilaka - Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Housing

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answer is as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) No. However, Community Water Supply Centres are generally established to provide drinking water to people in areas not serviced by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB). When the NWSDB begins service coverage, a procedure has been prepared to take over centres that are problematic or inactive. (ii) The relevant criteria and guidelines are set out in the annex, which is placed in the Library. In general, upon a request with majority concurrence at a meeting of the relevant community-based organization, the Department of National Community Water Supply and the NWSDB conduct a field inspection. Based on that, with the approvals of the Secretary to the Ministry and the NWSDB Board of Directors, steps are taken to take over the centre. (iii) No. Only necessary assets, as deemed appropriate, are taken over by the NWSDB. (iv) Yes. As per the guidelines, steps have been taken by the Department to hand over that centre to the Board. However, residents and beneficiaries have complained that it was not properly handed over; an investigation is underway. The results were due last April but have not yet been received. (v) [Guidelines/annex placed in the Library.]

¶ 03 Placed in the Library.