COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - Sri Lanka's main water utility said Friday it had fined the US embassy in Colombo more than 3,000 dollars for illegally tapping supplies from the national network.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board said it found that the supply to US ambassador Patricia Butenis' official residence in Colombo bypassed the water metre.

The US authorities were fined US$3,222 after the unusually low water bills for the building aroused suspicion and prompted an inspection.

"When informed of the illegal tapping of water, they agreed to the fine," a board official said, asking not to be named.

A US embassy spokesman, Glen Davis, said they were investigating the matter.