Sri Lanka, Aug. 25 -- The temporary suspension of water supply to several areas in the Colombo and Gampaha districts following the release of a chemical into the environment by a private factory has raised serious concerns over the safety of drinking water in the affected areas.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said the Ambatale and Biyagama water purification plants were temporarily shut down as an immediate precaution after the chemical release was detected.

NWSDB chemical engineers launched an immediate investigation and visited the affected area to assess whether pollutants had entered the Kelani River, the main water source for the two treatment plants.

NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said the water supply was...