President suspends two Mannar wind power projects

Saturday, 16 August 2025 00:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

One project of 20MW currently under construction
Another of 50MW has called for tenders, awarded contracts
Mannar communities raise concerns about environment, livelihoods

President Anura Kumara Disanayake

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayake has ordered the temporary suspension of two wind power projects in Mannar, citing the need to address local community concerns and environmental issues.

At a meeting held on 13 August to discuss the proposed Mannar wind power plants and related emerging issues, the President decided to suspend the two projects for one month to study their impact and provide solutions, a statement from the President’s Media Division said.

One project of 20 MW is currently under construction, and the other 50 MW has already been called for tenders and awarded contracts

Disanayake stressed that energy is a national resource and that electricity prices influence household costs, production expenses, foreign investment, and overall economic performance. He said projects should only proceed with consensus among all stakeholders and after addressing the impact on livelihoods, the economy, and daily life.

Community representatives, including religious leaders, voiced concerns over environmental damage and other effects on residents from both the wind power project and an ilmenite mining project. The President responded that construction would not move forward without Central Environmental Authority approval and compliance with its assessment reports.

The PMD said the Adani Group had planned to purchase electricity from one of the projects at $ 0.0826 per unit (Rs. 25), while the unit price from the wind project would be $ 0.0465 (Rs. 13). The Government aims to maintain the average production cost of a unit of electricity at Rs. 13.

Disanayake also announced that provisions in the upcoming budget would be allocated for the renovation of the Kokkilai Bridge and the Mannar water supply project.

Energy Minister Kumar Jayakody said the Land Reclamation Department has been tasked with assessing potential flood risks from the wind power plant. Several agencies, including the Department of Wildlife Conservation, Forest Department, Mahaweli Authority, Ministry of Lands, and Ministry of Environment, will jointly prepare a report on northern lands and submit proposals to resolve land issues.

The meeting was attended by Northern Province religious leaders, government and opposition MPs from the province, Cooperative Development Deputy Minister Upali Samarasinghe, Energy Secretary Professor Udayanga Hemapala, other state officials, and representatives of Mannar civil committees.