• Petitioners claim that the project site is encircled by three protected areas

 By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   
The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court yesterday that the government has decided to review the Wind Power Project in Mannar, which involves India’s Adani Group.

• The Attorney General also gave an undertaking to maintain the status quo regarding the project until the new government makes an appropriate decision following the general election   

Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Awanti Perera, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, informed the Supreme Court that the interim cabinet of the new government has decided to review this project. As part of this process, the materials and issues raised by the petitioners before the Court will be considered. The Attorney General also gave an undertaking to maintain the status quo regarding the project until the new government makes an appropriate decision following the general election.   
Five Fundamental Rights applications had been filed seeking an order preventing the authorities from issuing any permits to Adani Green Energy Sri Lanka Limited (AGESL), to carry on the wind power plant in the Mannar Island.   

Supreme Court five-judge-bench comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, A. H. M. D. Nawaz, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardhena fixed the petitions for support on March 18 and 19, 2025. The Attorney General was given time to file any material on this matter before court on January 31, 2025.   
Five petitioners including Centre for Environmental Justice Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka filed these applications seeking an order preventing the authorities including Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority from engaging in or carrying on the Mannar wind power project (Phase – II).   
President’s Counsel Sanjeeva Jayawardena appeared for Environmental Justice Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka. Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the Centre for Environmental Justice. Senior Counsel Senany Dayaratne appeared for Bishop of Mannar, Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda and others. Senior Counsel Suren Gnanaraj appeared for the residents in Mannar area.   
The petitioners stated that the project site lies in the centre, encircled by three Protected Areas (PAs). These are the Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park, the Vidataltivu Nature Reserve, and the Vankalai Sanctuary (a RAMSAR site), which are protected sites that fall under the purview of the Department of Wildlife & Conservation, and all these parks are of vital importance to the biodiversity of the country.   
The Petitioners stated that implementation of the Project in the Mannar Island, will cause mass-scale harm and damage to biodiversity and ecosystem services, which will be irreparable and irreversible. Further, the implementation of the Project will cause egregious harm to the welfare and well-being of the local communities living in the region.