Features

Mannar Island wind farms issue revisited

Published

9 months ago

2025/08/24

Mannar Island

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has recently (13 August, 2025) ordered a one-month suspension of the construction of two wind power plants in Mannar Island in order to review the issues raised primarily by the local communities. It has been reported that the community representatives raised serious concerns over a nine-day long continuous agitation (code named ‘Karunilam’ – Black soil) against the impacts of environmental destruction, involuntary displacement and violation of consent not only during the wind farm project implementation but also those associated with prawn farms and mining of mineral sands such as ilmenite).

The local representatives have apparently faulted the authorities for failing to properly implement the environmental recommendations and the report findings of the Central Environmental Authority on the impact on livelihoods, the environment and the regional economy. They have argued that since the Cabinet approval has already been given for these wind farm projects, it can even be challenged legally to obtain a court injunction against the project in order to receive redress to the issues they have raised.

In response, the president has reportedly stated that construction would not move forward without the approval of the Central Environmental Authority and compliance with the recommendations given in its assessment reports. He has stressed that while development is essential to strengthen the economy, it must be conducted with the consensus and solutions primarily in addressing local concerns. Consequently, a decision has been made by the relevant state agencies to develop a framework to identify and resolve the issues faced by local communities due to wind power plants and other issues during this one-month grace period.

In this regard, the Land Reclamation Department has been tasked with assessing flood risks from the wind power plants, several other government agencies including the Departments of wildlife and Forest Conservation, Mahaweli Authority, Ministry of Lands and Ministry of Environment have been instructed to prepare a joint report on northern lands and submit proposals to resolve the issues raised by the local communities and the general public, at large.

The controversy

The controversy over wind power plants in Mannar is an old one and I have already written two previous newspaper articles as this subject is having national and regional significance somewhat akin to the now ill-famed Sinharaja Logging Project of the 1970s. ( 1). https://island.lk/mannar-wind-farm-project-another-folly-like-the-sinharaja-logging-project-on-the-horizon/). 2). https://island.lk/a-plea-for-establishing-a-transboundary-blue-green-biosphere-reserve-in-gulf-of-mannar-and-palk-bay/ ) and another in LORIS (https://www.wnpssl.org/pdf/loris/lorismagazinevolume30issue-3.pdf).

In my first article published in 2024 (before the presidential elections), I drew some parallels between the Mannar Wind Farm Project with that of the Sinharaja Logging Project. The executive order issued by the president is somewhat similar to the appointment of a special commission headed by a cabinet minister during Mrs. Banadaranayake’ government in early1970s mandated to examine the veracity of the public criticism and make recommendations on the continuation of the logging project.

This problem of Mannar wind farms still persists because the Sri Lankan governmental authorities representing different key stakeholder sectors (environmental, social and economic) have still not jointly come together to commit in a coherent and integrated manner to reconcile the need for power generation, mineral sand mining, illegal fishing, prawn farming and future oil exploration needs with peoples’ concerns despite a number of authoritative reports, position papers and research publications have already been prepared to address these issues in a scientific manner for the Mannar region as a whole (and beyond). In that respect, the current situation is very much different from that prevailed during the Sinharaja logging project and we hope that a scientific evidence-based solution acceptable to all stakeholders could be arrived at within a shorter period of time.

I am listing below several reports by both national and international agencies that are of great value for the review committee to consider (if they haven’t already) along with the Environmental Impact Assessment carried out for the now withdrawn Adani Project, which had its own share of inherent deficiencies and hence drawing in criticisms from both national and international scientific community. I am also hoping that my effort would provide the general public an opportunity to share their own views on this nationally and regionally important issue rekindling the events that took place during Sinharaja logging project, half a century ago.

1. Diving deep into the Blue – A case for a Marine Spatial Plan for Sustainable Blue Economy in Sri Lanka (UNDP Sri Lanka, 2023).

2. Sri Lanka’s Blue Economy – A position paper by UNDP Sri Lanka & Laxman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (file:///F:/Environment,%20Eco-Tourism/Mannar%20Wind%20Farm%202024%20-Blue%20Carbon%20&%20Earth%20Jurisprudence/2025/UNDP%20-%20blue_economy_position_paperand_lki.pdf).

3. The Potential of Blue Carbon Habitats in Sri Lanka against Climate Change (file:///F:/Environment,%20Eco-Tourism/Mannar%20Wind%20Farm%202024%20-Blue%20Carbon%20&%20Earth%20Jurisprudence/2025/The%20Potential%20of%20Blue%20Carbon%20Habitats%20in%20Sri%20Lanka%20against%20climate%20change%20-%20Climate%20Fact%20Checks.html).

4. Ocean Country Partnership Programme in Sri Lanka – Marine Spatial Planning, Marine Biodiversity, and Sustainable Seafood (.file:///F:/Environment,%20Eco-Tourism/Mannar%20Wind%20Farm%202024%20-Blue%20Carbon%20&%20Earth%20Jurisprudence/2025/Ocean%20Country%20Partnership%20Programme%20in%20Sri%20Lanka%20%E2%80%93%20Marine%20Spatial%20Planning,%20Marine%20Biodiversity,%20and%20Sustainable%20Seafood.%C2%A0%20%E2%80%93%20Marine%20Science.html

5. The Importance of Marine Spatial Planning for Marine Resources Management in the Gulf of Mannar, Sri Lanka (Symposium Abstract by A. Wijesundera of NARA-2019).

6. Sri Lanka Revised Coastal Zone and Coastal Resource Management Plan 2024-2029.

7. World Bank Group. 2023. Offshore Wind Roadmap for Sri Lanka, World Bank, Washington, DC. License : Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO

8. SLTDA & ADB ( 2025). Report on the Marine Tourism Roadmap for Sri Lanka

9. Updated Landscape Strategy for Building Social, Economic and Ecological Resilience In Mannar Coastal Landscape: UNDP/GEF/ SGP – Operations Phase 7. (2023). UNDP. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2023-05/Mannar%20Landscape%20Strategy%2005-05 2023.pdf.

10. Mannar Island Development Plan 2019-2030. (2019). Urban Development Authority. https://www.uda.gov.lk/attachments/outdated_dev_ plans/Mannar/English-r.pdf

11. https://www.cea.lk/web/?option=com_content&view=article&layout=edit&id=173

It is indeed surprising that with all these (and perhaps, more) background and baseline information being available, a realistic appraisal of these windfarm and other developmental projects has not been done to adequately safeguard the interests of the local people and the environment while engaging in multifarious development projects.

It is very likely that in response to the president’s directive, the relevant government authorities will have to hurriedly develop a policy framework and a strategic action plan to identify and resolve the issues raised by the local communities stemming from wind power plants, mineral extraction and prawn farming, within a period of one month from 13th August 2025.

Consequently, it is quite probable that an ad hoc framework to address the above issues will be prepared to meet the deadline set by the president during this short period of time. However, a longer-term approach is needed along globally accepted scientific and socio-economic principles and guidelines, in order to attract investors to convert these perplexing challenges to viable opportunities benefiting the local communities, the environment and the economy through, for example, climate finance instruments. The rest of this article is directed towards that objective.

Marine, Coastal (and Inland Terrestrial) Spatial Planning in the Mannar Region

Marine and Coastal Spatial Planning is a proven conflict resolution tool tested over 100 countries/territories that aims in addressing disputes among disparate stakeholders by effectively integrating divergent human endeavors in marine and coastal environments in achieving ecological, economic, and social objectives for sustainable long-term development. It is a process aimed at better decision-making for the use of marine and coastal resources, promoting sustainable development, and addressing conflicts between different ocean uses. It involves a comprehensive, integrated, ecosystem-based approach that moves away from the traditional, single-sector management of coastal and marine areas. Mannar being a small and somewhat rectangular island, the spatial planning process needs to address issues pertaining not only to marine and coastal areas but the inland terrestrial landscapes in an integrated mode.

Sri Lanka’s Blue Economic Potential

A position paper titled ‘Sri Lanka’s Blue Economy’ by UNDP Sri Lanka & Laxman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies and another titled ‘Diving deep into the Blue – A case for a Marine Spatial Plan for Sustainable Blue Economy in Sri Lanka’ by the UNDP Sri Lanka (2023) have proposed a Blue Economy development approach for Sri Lanka while highlighting recommendations and commitments to a nationally driven sustainable Blue Economy pathway anchored by a Marine (and Coastal) Spatial Plan. They provide guiding principles to balance both the economic and conservation objectives of Sri Lanka’s marine territory and offer a broad governance framework for an inclusive, whole-of-society approach which needs to be efficiently coordinated among the government, civil society, and the private sector.

The UNDP & LKI jointly proposed Blue Economic Policy Framework while strengthening the protection and management of ocean and coastal ecosystems, it contributes to attracting investments in marine and coastal ecosystems-based economic sectors which have the potential to transform the present challenges to novel opportunities to maximize the social and economic benefits of the existing valuable resources, both living and non-living, to all stakeholders in an equitable manner.

The two UNDP led reports have detailed out a blueprint for the blue economy and also, they have outlined an MSP Roadmap for Sri Lanka. They emphasize that integrating Sri Lanka’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) into the Blue Economy approach is essential to promote nature-positive economic recovery in combination with a carbon-neutral, sustainable future. The Blue Economy framework must reflect the Nationally Determined Contributions and finance such interventions in alignment with blue economic principles.

As an example, there could be investment opportunities that include restoration of coastal ‘blue carbon’ sinks (sea gras, mangroves, and coastal wetlands) thus opening the door for innovative blue-carbon crediting schemes generated by quantifying the amount of carbon captured and stored by these ecosystems. Participation of local communities in these projects as business partners would contribute to their livelihood improvement through equitable sharing of benefits (thus meeting some of their current demands) and to climate change mitigation and adaptation, in the longer-term.

In addition to these UNDP interventions, a UK Government-led team visited Sri Lanka in July 2024 to build on the support offered through the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP) and share the lessons learned from the UK on Marine Spatial Planning. The team met with a range of government ministries, departments and agencies (including NGOs) to discuss and agree priorities in relation to MSP – a tool that is used to manage conflict between activities and promote sustainable and equitable use of the marine environment. Interestingly enough, their visit concluded with a two-day consultation workshop on adopting a Strategic Environmental Appraisal (SEA) approach to MSP for Northwest Sri Lanka that includes Mannar region, as a pilot MSP. Their final report too, would be invaluable for the review team to consider.

Also, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has been preparing zoning maps and integrating natural habitats with impacting human activities using IOC-UNESCO guidelines towards preparing an MSP for the Gulf of Mannar region.

Way Forward

I have gone into great length in highlighting the tremendous amount of groundwork done on Marine (and Coastal) Spatial Planning, a sine qua non prerequisite for resolving human conflicts in natural resource-rich regions like the Gulf of Mannar. Most likely, the local communities would have participated as important stakeholders in, at least, some of these exploratory exercises and as such, they may be quite familiar with issues arising from the proposed wind farm projects.

Therefore, instead of taking a piecemeal approach at this juncture in response to the President’s directive, a longer-term MSP based approach for the Mannar region as a pilot case study for eventual developing a Marine (and coastal) Spatial Plan for entire Sri Lanka would be more desirable. At the same time, this would be a viable solution to the problems that may be in store which may crop up time and again whenever such unplanned development projects get underway.

Sri Lanka possesses a territorial sea of 21,500 km2 and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of up to 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the coastal line at an extent of 517,000 km2. From living resources to exploitable minerals and hydrocarbons, fisheries, access to shipping lanes, offshore renewable energy, oceanic recreational opportunities such as surfing, whale and dolphin watching, deep sea diving, sea entertainment etc., the opportunities for economic value addition are virtually limitless. Therefore, Sri Lanka has a compelling case for the adoption of a sustainable blue economic model, with a particular focus on an MSP to attract investors for collaborative management of these vital natural resources, according to the UNDP-led reports.

Besides, Sri Lanka is the current chair of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA 2023-2025) and the six priority areas the IORA Council of ministers focusing under the Sri Lankan leadership of IORA are i) Trade and Investment, ii) Maritime Safety and Security, iii) fisheries Management, iv) Disaster Risk Management, and v) Blue Economy – all of which are well represented in the Mannar region. With national, regional and international endorsement along with their overwhelming support, Sri Lanka can lead by example and demonstrate the potential of the Blue Economy to other Indian Ocean developing states. If Sri Lanka can use this Mannar region as a pilot case study as a first step and extend it thereafter to the entire island it will undoubtedly strengthen collaboration on measures to enhance regional governance mechanisms.

In this regard, the Government should use the Gulf of Mannar case study as a springboard for developing an island-wide Marine (and coastal) Spatial Plan with sufficient credibility needed for public/private investor confidence to mobilize capital for climate-resilient investments. As a first step in this exercise, the government must strengthen its conservation strategies/targets and then judiciously allocate marine and coastal resources in order to make climate finance opportunities more attractive to potential investors.

In an earlier article (The Island, 04 April 2025), I have highlighted the conservation needs that would help a Blue Economic environment for the Sri Lankan sector of the Gulf of Mannar Region. There I have suggested that once a marine and coastal spatial plan is developed for the Sri Lankan side of the Gulf of Mannar, it should seek the possibility of linking it up with the already established Indian Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve to develop a trans-boundary biosphere reserve. Conservation investments of this nature will increase investor confidence in unlocking the potential of the Blue Economy for Sri Lanka.

by Emeritus Professor Nimal Gunatilleke ✍️
nimsavg@gmail.com

All News Advertisement

Features

From stabilisation to transformation without delay

Published

7 hours ago

2026/05/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

At a symposium on reconciliation organised by the National Peace Council last week, more than 250 religious clergy, civic activists and political representatives from different communities gathered to discuss the country’s future. Speaking at the event, Minister Bimal Rathnayake explained the government’s approach to national reconciliation. He said the government viewed the country’s recovery in terms of a three stage process. The first stage was stabilisation, the second was development and the third was transformation. Reconciliation, he implied, would come in that final stage. The participation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the same symposium, and the constructive nature of his comments, strengthens that hope.

When the present NPP government took office in 2024, the country was emerging from one of the gravest crises in its post Independence history. The economic collapse of 2022 had led to shortages of fuel, food, medicines and electricity. Inflation soared, foreign reserves disappeared and long queues became part of daily life. The political upheaval that followed culminated in the resignation of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after mass public protests under the banner of the Aragalaya movement. The country was then governed by a leadership that spoke the language of reform and reconciliation but was widely perceived as lacking a direct popular mandate.

Sri Lanka’s past experience suggests that stabilisation and transformation cannot be treated as entirely separate stages. Postponing reconciliation until some future moment risks repeating the failures of the past. If transformation is endlessly delayed until a supposedly perfect moment arrives, there will always be new crises and new reasons for postponement. Minister Rathnayake’s contention that the government’s immediate priority has necessarily been stabilisation flows from the government’s awareness of the precarious situation the country is. Over the past two years, the government has succeeded to a significant extent in restoring economic and political stability. Inflation has reduced, shortages have ended and public institutions have regained a degree of functionality.

Guaranteed Changes

On the other hand, the country’s development continues to face challenges due to adverse global conditions, including disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East and extreme weather events that have affected tourism, trade and the cost of living. The danger is that reconciliation may be indefinitely postponed in the name of stabilisation. This danger can be reduced if the government works proactively with the opposition and civil society to commence practical measures of transformation now rather than later. The participation of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa at the symposium, and the constructive nature of his comments, has strengthened the sense that bipartisan engagement on reconciliation may now be possible.

The urgency of transformation came through strongly in the presentations made by representatives of the Sri Lanka Tamil and Malaiyaha Tamil communities. ITAK parliamentarian S.Shritharan spoke of the frustration caused by unresolved post war issues in the north and east. He referred to disputes regarding land occupied during the war years, including controversies linked to Buddhist temples and state sponsored settlement activity in areas claimed by local communities. He also pointed to the continuing large scale presence of the security forces in the north and east nearly two decades after the end of the war. These grievances have remained central to Tamil political discourse since the end of the armed conflict in 2009. Families displaced by war continue to seek the return of ancestral lands. Civil society organisations in the north have repeatedly called for greater civilian control over local administration and a reduction in military involvement in civilian life.

Academic research and practical work on the ground have shown that reconciliation cannot be separated from questions of dignity, equality and justice. Former minister Mano Ganesan, leader of the Democratic People’s Front, focused on the longstanding problems faced by the Malaiyaha Tamil community. He spoke passionately about continuing housing shortages, landlessness and economic marginalisation, issues that have persisted since Independence. He also highlighted the devastating impact of recent extreme weather events on estate communities that remain socially and economically vulnerable. The condition of the Malaiyaha Tamil community remains one of the enduring social justice issues in Sri Lanka.

After Independence in 1948, a large proportion of them were denied citizenship and voting rights through legislation that rendered them stateless. Though citizenship rights were eventually restored, the social and economic consequences of exclusion continue to be felt generations later.

Many families still lack secure housing and land ownership despite their immense contribution to the country’s plantation economy. Minister Rathnayake’s responses to both these concerns were politically significant. He argued that recent political developments, including the declining influence of narrow ethnic politics across communities, indicated a major shift in public attitudes. According to him, the political ground has changed in ways that make it increasingly difficult for politicians who rely primarily on ethnic division and communal insecurity to retain public support.

Inter-Connected

There is evidence to support the assessment about the changing political grounding which sees future prospects in the resolution of long standing problems. . The economic collapse of 2022 affected all communities alike and generated a new politics centred on governance, anti corruption, accountability and economic justice. The Aragalaya protests brought together Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims in a common demand for political change. Although ethnic grievances have not disappeared, the crisis created space for a broader understanding that the country’s future depends on cooperation rather than division. Opposition Leader Premadasa’s comments at the symposium reflected this changing political climate. He emphasised that national reconciliation could not be separated from economic justice and the need to address disparities between regions and social classes.v He also mentioned the need for civil society organisations to take this message to the community. This wider understanding of reconciliation is important because ethnic inequality and economic inequality have often reinforced each other in Sri Lanka’s history.

Academic studies have identified the denial of citizenship rights after Independence as a historic injustice that set back the Malaiyaha community for decades. The challenge now is to ensure that transformation becomes part of the stabilisation and development process itself. Practical first steps are both possible and necessary. The release of civilian lands still under state control, greater devolution of administrative authority, reduction of military involvement in civilian affairs, language equality in public administration and accelerated housing and land ownership programmes in the plantation sector are all measures that can begin immediately without waiting for a final stage of transformation.

The government’s recent commitment that provincial council elections will finally be held this year is therefore significant. These elections have been repeatedly postponed by successive governments. Holding them would not solve the ethnic conflict by itself. But it would signal a willingness to restore democratic institutions and share power in a meaningful way.

Sri Lanka has repeatedly postponed difficult reforms in the hope that a more convenient political moment would eventually arrive. But opportunities are invariably created and fought for instead of being provided as a gift by a benevolent government.

The present moment, shaped by the economic crisis and public demand for accountable government, offers a rare opportunity to move simultaneously towards stability, development and reconciliation. Provincial council elections can be the first meaningful step. But they must not be the last.

by Jehan Perera

Features

Researchers to shape new environmental policy framework

Published

7 hours ago

2026/05/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Some of the researchers at the meeting

In a significant move aimed at steering Sri Lanka’s environmental governance towards a more science-based and evidence-driven path, the Ministry of Environment has initiated a new collaborative mechanism to integrate leading researchers into national policy formulation and conservation planning.

The initiative was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Dr. Dammika Patabendi at the Ministry of Environment on Tuesday, where top environmental scientists, wildlife experts and researchers were invited to contribute towards what officials described as a “strategic transition” in the country’s environmental management framework.

The discussions focused on strengthening the scientific basis of environmental conservation programmes and national policy decisions while creating a more research-friendly environment for academics and field scientists engaged in biodiversity and ecological studies.

Particular attention was paid to long-standing concerns raised by researchers regarding procedural and operational difficulties encountered when conducting studies in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Forest Department.

Minister Patabendi stressed the need for environmental policies to be guided by credible scientific data rather than ad hoc administrative decisions, ministry sources said.

Among the key proposals discussed was the establishment of a streamlined mechanism that would reduce bureaucratic obstacles faced by researchers in obtaining approvals, accessing field sites and sharing scientific findings with state institutions.

The Minister highlighted the importance of building stronger partnerships between policymakers and the scientific community at a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with escalating environmental challenges including deforestation, biodiversity loss, human-elephant conflict, climate-related disasters and ecosystem degradation.

Environmentalists attending the meeting had also highlighted the urgent necessity of incorporating empirical research into national decision-making processes to ensure long-term ecological sustainability and better resource management.

The meeting brought together several of Sri Lanka’s leading environmental researchers and academics including Rohan Pethiyagoda, Saminda Fernando, Sewwandi Jayakody, Samantha Gunasekara, Dinidu Devapura, Himesh Jayasinghe, Manoj Prasanna, Mendis Wickramasinghe and Suranjan Karunarathna.

Director General of Wildlife Conservation Ranjan Marasinghe also participated in the deliberations.

Officials said the proposed framework is expected to pave the way for a more transparent, data-oriented and scientifically credible environmental governance structure capable of addressing emerging conservation challenges more effectively.

The government expects the new mechanism to support the implementation of practical and scientifically robust programmes aimed at safeguarding Sri Lanka’s ecological future while enhancing cooperation between state agencies and the country’s growing community of environmental researchers.

By Ifham Nizam

Features

Back home … for a special occasion

Published

7 hours ago

2026/05/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Seven Notes: Sri Lankans based in Dubai – with Niluk (second from left)

Niluk Uswaththa, of Seven Notes fame, based in Dubai, surprised many when he and his wife Apeksha, turned up in Colombo, last week … unannounced.

Yes, they had a purpose in their surprise visit … to wish Apeksha’s mum for her birthday, which was on Monday, 18th May, and what a surprise it turned out to be!

In an exclusive chit-chat with The Island, Niluk said that the scene in Dubai is improving and Seven Notes do have work coming their way.

Since the members of Seven Notes are all employed (doing day jobs), they operate only on Saturdays and Sundays.

Niluk: Didn’t come prepared to perform, but obliged
friends in Galle

In fact, to get to Colombo for the birthday surprise (on Monday, 18th May), the band had to skip their 17th May, Sunday gig.

“Although it’s a short vacation, my wife and I are enjoying the setup here,” said Niluk, adding that they spent two days in Galle and that their next destination is Anuradhapura.”

Niluk didn’t come prepared to perform, but he obliged the crowd present, at a friend’s birthday celebrations, in Galle, singing and playing guitar.

They are scheduled to leave for their home, in Dubai, in the first week of June.

Seven Notes is an outfit made up of Sri Lankans and the band has been around for almost nine years.

Niluk came into their scene nearly seven years ago.

“When I went to Dubai, I had offers coming my way but it was Seven Notes that impressed me because of their acoustic style.”

The Dubai’s entertainment scene is showing clear signs of bouncing back and even levelling up in the next few months.

Niluk and Apeksha: Enjoying their short vacation

After a slowdown earlier this year due to regional tensions, shows and festivals are back on the calendar, and organisers say late 2026 could be the busiest concert season in years.

Time Out Dubai says “the 2026 concert calendar is filling up nicely” and “the city is ready to party once again” after some reschedules.

Dubai Summer Surprises in July brings retail activations, comedy nights, and indoor art exhibitions.

Organisers point to a backlog of postponed events that are being rescheduled for late 2026 and early 2027.

Yes, Dubai is calm on the surface but on alert. Life is mostly normal in the city, but there’s a “balancing act” as people watch for escalation.