News

Mannar environmentalists demand end to wind power & ilmenite projects there

Published

3 years ago

2023/04/9

By Jagath Kanaheraarachchi

Environmentalists have demanded an immediate halt to the government’s plans to implement the proposed wind power project in Mannar by India’s Adani group and ilmenite extraction project by an Australian company.

Protect Manner’s Environment (PME), an environmental organization based in Pesalai, claimed that while they are supportive of renewable energy, the proposed wind farm will have a devastating impact on fishermen and farmers.

“There are about 70,000 people in Pesalai. The government doesn’t see us. They only see land they can sell. The government is desperate for money. We were affected by war for three decades, now thousands of Indian fishermen are stealing our fish. We have no leaders to protect us,” Father Francis Gnanapragasam said.

He added that already there are about 30 wind turbines in Mannar and they are already affecting the fishermen.

“There is a continuous vibration from these. When Adani establishes more wind power turbines we will be in deep trouble,” he said.

Meanwhile, A. Sugatar of PME said that wind turbines make continuous noise and that the Adani group is planning to establish 21 such turbines close to human settlements.

“How will people live with constant noise distracting them? To establish a turbine they dig 50 feet into the ground. This could lead to groundwater pollution. They will also destroy mangroves to build them. The turbines are on the path of migratory birds coming to Sri Lanka to winter here. How many of them will die?” he asked.

All News Advertisement

News

INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.

The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.

Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities

Latest News

Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).

The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.

Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:

01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)

02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)

03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)

04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See

05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan

06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait

Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.