Kanchana: Ex-Viyathmaga activist now with SJB blocking Adani project

By Saman Indrajith

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera told Parliament yesterday that a Viyathmaga member, who was working with Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, was behind a campaign to block the implementation of the Adani Group’s wind power project.

Responding to a question raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Minister Wijesekera said former member of Viyathmaga, Prof. Rohan Pethiyagoda was one of the persons opposing the proposed wind power project.

“Prof. Pethiyagoda is an advisor to the Opposition Leader. He is a former member of Viyathmaga,” the Minister said, adding that Prof Pethiyagoda was one of the few who had raised an environmental issue pertaining to the wind power project.

“We have taken steps to remove six turbines belonging to wind power plants which are already in Mannar.

We will also keep a 2-km corridor for bird migration,” the Minister said.

Referring to the proposed unit price of power, the Minister said the matter was under negotiation at the moment.

“We have not made the final decision on the matter.”

View of the residents had been sought with regard to the proposed project, the minister said.

Dr. Pethiyagoda was not immediately available for comment.