by Our Correspondent in Colombo
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has ordered the temporary suspension of Adani Green Energy’s wind power projects in Mannar, citing environmental concerns, local grievances, and the need for a transparent review process.
The decision came after a high-level meeting at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday, where religious leaders, community representatives, and government officials debated the impact of the proposed 50 MW and ongoing 2×20 MW wind farms.
The President said energy resources belong to the entire nation, not just one region, and stressed the need to balance development with environmental protection and public welfare. “The government is ready to resolve any issues affecting people’s livelihoods, but we cannot ignore the economic importance of energy projects,” he said.
Concerns raised by Mannar residents included environmental damage, livelihood disruption, and non-compliance with environmental reports and recommendations. The government will use the one-month suspension period to investigate these claims and propose solutions.
Adani’s original agreement would have seen Sri Lanka purchasing electricity at US$8.26 per unit (Rs. 25), but the government has now set a target of Rs. 13 per unit, in line with the cost of production from the Mannar project (US$4.65).
Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody confirmed that the Land Reclamation Department is assessing flood risks linked to the wind farms, while multiple agencies will jointly review land use in the Northern Province.
The President also announced budget allocations for the Kokilai Bridge reconstruction and the Mannar New Water Project. The meeting included Energy Minister Jayakody, Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe, MPs from the Northern Province, senior officials, and members of the Mannar Citizens’ Committee.
