JVP mobilizing against Adani wind power proposal in Mannar

by Shiran Ranasinghe and Sirimantha Ratnasekera

JVP has decided to mobilize people, members of clergy, trade unions and civil society organisations to defeat a government move to give away land in Talaimannar to Indian conglomerate Adani Group to develop a one GW wind power project with an investment of more than $1bn.

Former JVP Kalutara District MP, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said that action has been planned to stand up against the government’s move to give away national assets to foreigners by ruling party politicians seeking commissions.

“We know that government is in a dire situation because it cannot get loans as international rating agencies have downgraded the country. It could obtain loans only from China and India. Another means to shore up the country’s foreign reserves is bringing in outside investments. But these investors do not come here for the love of Sri Lanka,” he said.

“They have a long term plan of establishing their presence at places of geopolitical importance in this country. The latest move is giving away land in Talaimannar to the Adani Group. Making use of forex crisis. Some politicians will get commissions out of these deals. We must stop this.”

Finance Ministry sources said that there is a possibility of a cabinet paper being submitted to the next cabinet meeting to get the approval for the project in the same way the government rushed the deal with the New Fortress Energy company through the cabinet.

Ministry sources said that the Adani group has proposed to develop a 1,000 MW wind energy project in Talaimannar and has also expressed interest in a second wind energy project in Pooneryn.

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)General Manager Eng MR Ranatunga said that there was a proposal for the project and Adani’s billionaire Chairman, Gautam Adani and his officials during their visit to Sri Lanka in October expressed interest in projects related to ports, power and renewable energy. They also visited Mannar for an inspection. No agreement has been signed for the project so far, Ranatunga said.

CEB chairman M.M.C Ferdinando confirmed that they had received a proposal from the Adani group. Adani Group’s subsidiary Adani Green Energy has submitted a proposal to the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) and the CEB.

He said that the BOI had referred the proposal to the Cabinet-appointed Management Committee on Investments (CAMCI), which was set up up to fast track investment proposals.

“Adani had referred a proposal to the BOI, and copied to me and the CAMCI headed by the Treasury Secretary” he said.

Finance ministry sources said that Adani’s proposal had received approval from the CAMCI last week.

Dr Jayatissa said that they would commence an awareness campaign and do everything possible to reverse the government’s move to sell national assets to foreigners.