Chairman of the Board K.A. Ansar has told Neth FM that therefore, the VAT will be added to the water bill from this month.

The VAT has been increased from 11 per cent to 15 pc.

At a media briefing yesterday (09), water supply state minister Sudarshani Fernandopulle said notwithstanding her personal view, she had to agree to the increase in taxes as taxes were being charged to serve the public.

According to her, massive expenses are being incurred to supply water, with the Water Board running at a loss.

Earlier, finance minister Ravi Karunanayake told journalists that prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s VAT amendments would be implemented without a change.

President Maithripala Sirisena has told a function Polonnaruwa on April 18 that no economist would be allowed to impose taxes to burden the public.

Despite the president’s objections, the VAT increase is being implemented from May 02, according to the finance minister.