Mannar
But the irony of a country’s push towards green energy possibly threatening local environments is hardly lost on them. Residents in villages across Mannar district, on Sri Lanka’s north-western coast, report recurring flash floods in recent years, growing demand for land from both the government and private companies, the constant noise from wind turbines near their homes, and a shrinking fish catch. They fear that the growing number of renewable energy projects could be contributing to these changes and impacting the environment. If decades of war meant contending with deaths, disappearances, and displacement , the post-war years have forced another struggle upon the people of Mannar — for development that meets their needs . The renewable energy projects are yet to speak to them. “We are often asked if there is scientific proof linking these changes to the renewable energy projects. G. A. Arulraj Croos, Director, Caritas Valvuthayam, the social arm of the Catholic Diocese of Mannar. “It is a survival issue, not merely an environmental concern. Residents have no scientific evidence to substantiate their claims so far. But they contend that the authorities, too, have not shown them research that rules out any impact on their environment. “We can only tell you what we see and experience. The course of waterways in our village has changed. “Following land acquisitions in the district to accommodate wind turbines, rainwater does not drain out like before. The Rajapaksa administration approved the investment without a competitive bid, triggering many questions and a prolonged controversy. One of the biggest FDIs to come into the island after a devastating economic crisis, the wind farm project soon faced legal challenges from environmental groups and local communities. Adani Green left , but locals’ apprehensions remain. Meanwhile, the government is pressing ahead with projects already decided upon, with local energy firms Hayleys Fentons, WindForce, and Vidullanka winning bids to execute wind farm projects in Mannar. Ameerun Nisha, a member of the local council or Pradeshiya Sabha. “The government needs to tell the local communities what these projects are about, how much land they need, what benefits they will bring to the local community and what the environmental risks are. Those active in local campaigns against wind power projects say they were not consulted. Robert V. Peries, an engineer in Mannar. Activists like him understand the importance of switching to renewable energy, especially in the wake of the global energy crisis.
Five months later, the CEB signed an agreement with Adani Green for a $500 million , 500 MW wind power project. The succeeding Ranil Wickremesinghe administration, too, through the Board of Investment, cleared the wind power project in Mannar and nearby Pooneryn in February 2023. Sri Lanka’s total installed energy capacity is 6,345 MW, with a peak demand of about 3,000 MW, and most of the country’s demand is met by hydropower. The government aims to add 300 MW from renewable energy sources to the national grid by the end of next year, according to Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas. Ilyas told The Hindu : “Some months we are spending nearly 30% of our foreign reserves to import fuel. Our aim is to reduce it to 10%.”
Sometimes, everyday lived realities of people reveal more than science does,” said Fr. We can see the coastline eroding,” said a resident of Arippu village who leads a local fishermen’s association. We are frequently experiencing floods,” he said, requesting not to be named. “They [the authorities] think we oppose everything”. It was in the spotlight until Adani Green pulled out in February 2025, even as President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’ s government resisted the company’s “excessive” power purchasing tariff . President Dissanayake instructed authorities not to proceed with future projects “without the consent of the people living on Mannar Island”. “If authorities are not transparent, you cannot prevent speculation and scaremongering,” said M.A. “This government opposed the Adani project not because of the environmental risks that we locals raised, but because they found the tariff high,” said A. “When we flag unusual flooding, a fall in our harvest or a drop in fish catch, authorities must take note,” Mr. Peries said. Pointing to the “economic strain” from energy imports, Mr.
