President Suspends Mannar Wind Power Project for One Month, Cancels Mineral Sand Project

15-Aug-2025

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has agreed to suspend for one month the wind power project to be implemented in Mannar District and to completely abandon the mineral sand project.

At a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat on August 13 with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, representatives of Mannar District civil organisations — V.S. Sivakaran, Rev. Father Jayabalan, Rev. 

Father Marcus, and Alam — along with governing and opposition MPs from Vanni District — Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Dr. Sathiyalingam, Thurairasa Ravikaran, Rishad Bathiudeen, Kader Masthan, and Jegatheeswaran — as well as Minister Kumar Jayakody and Deputy Minister Upali Pannilage, who are responsible for the subject, were present.

During the meeting, representatives of civil organisations and MPs explained the concerns among the people regarding the wind power project being implemented in Mannar.

They pointed out that Mannar District is a highly sensitive area and one that should be protected by UNESCO. They also listed environmental impacts caused by the installation of wind turbines.

Initially, the President spoke about the contribution of wind power to the country’s electricity needs and its future economic benefits.

Later, civil representative Sivakaran again highlighted the adverse effects of implementing the wind power project within Mannar Island, explaining that there are locations outside the island where such projects could be implemented.

Based on these points, MPs Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Rishad Bathiudeen, and others also expressed their positions.

It was brought to the President’s attention that if these projects proceed in defiance of public opposition, especially while people are still protesting, it would have consequences; therefore, it is necessary to hold proper discussions to understand the people’s stance.

Following this, the President said that he would hold discussions with the people before taking a final decision, and requested a one-month period for such discussions, agreeing to suspend the project until then.

He also mentioned that a committee would be formed to carry out discussions with the public.

At the same time, he said that the wind turbines already approved to produce 70 MW of power should be allowed to be completed, and that all future wind power projects would be implemented outside Mannar Island.

It was also pointed out that dissatisfaction among the people arose due to the impacts of already installed wind turbines and the absence of prior discussions with the public on that project.

Meanwhile, since mineral sand mining would completely destroy the island, everyone present in the meeting called for the project to be abandoned completely, to which the President agreed.

This information was confirmed by Selvam Adaikkalanathan and Dr. Sathiyalingam.