Mannar Bishop thanks AKD for decision on Adani, asks for strategic environmental assessment

Monday, 27 January 2025 02:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mannar Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando has thanked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for revoking the approval given by the previous regime to Adani’s 484 MW winder power plants in Mannar and Pooneryn.

In a statement, the Bishop also urged for a strategic environmental assessment. Following is the full text of the statement.

It was with much pleasure that I read in ‘Daily FT’ that the Government has decided to revoke the Cabinet decision taken by the former administration last year to award a project to develop 484 megawatts of wind power in Mannar and Pooneryn to Adani Green Energy SL Ltd. On behalf of the people of Mannar, I wish to thank President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Cabinet of Ministers for this bold decision.

There is no doubt that Sri Lanka’s renewable energy resources should be developed to the maximum. It is also clear that the North-Western coastal region of Sri Lanka presents one of the best opportunities for both wind and solar projects that will benefit the whole country. However, it is important that such projects not be imposed on the local population from Colombo, but be undertaken sensitively, taking into consideration the views and interests of the local population while also complying with the environmental safeguards prescribed by law. It is also important that the award of such projects be maximally transparent. As pointed out by the President himself during the recent election campaigns, the now-cancelled project was grossly deficient in this respect.

I therefore respectfully call upon the Government, as provided by law, to commission a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the entire North-Western region, so that the siting of future renewable-energy development projects could not only be decided objectively, but in a manner calculated to maximise the environmental and social well-being of the entire region.

The cancellation of this project is a small but important step. I urge the Government to build on this wise decision by undertaking future renewable-energy development in this region in a thoughtful, well-planned and transparent manner.