Adani wind power project Mannar Island is too sensitive for any more mega projects – Leading environmental groups

By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

Environmental groups who appeared as litigants against the Adani wind power project case which was heard before the Supreme Court reiterated that even though the petition had been withdrawn, there is always possibility of re-litigating against any other project proponent who plans to have a project of a similar nature that infringes the rights of Sri Lanka’s flora, fauna and citizens.  

These remarks were made at a recent press conference presided by leading environmentalists including Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda and conservationists representing the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Environmental Foundation Limited (EFL).   

In his presentation, Sampath Seneviratne, Professor in Zoology, Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences at the University of Colombo said that Mannar Island is home to 15 million birds entering Sri Lanka from over 30 countries. 

“It is also home to 600 species of migrant birds. Among eight major flyways, the Central Asian Flyway is a major component. Mannar is a main artery identified by the Convention of Migratory Species and Convention on Biological Diversity. 

This is a problem of Sri Lanka’s image and our legal binding on protecting these species,” he added.  

 While explaining about the diversity of birds who migrate to Mannar Island during the Northern winter and summer, Prof. Seneviratne said that according to the country’s wind energy atlas, there are many other places with better wind currents that are suitable for projects of this nature.