A leading environmental organization in Sri Lanka has revealed that former soldiers are being used by international organizations who are trying to excavate millions of tons of rare earth minerals in the Northern Province, depriving local Tamils by oppressing them.
This exposé has come just within a few days of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces saying persons who work for organized criminal gangs who undertake contract killings are in the army.
Now, the Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Hemantha Withanage has exposed that former soldiers are involved in the developmental projects implemented through national and international investments in Mannar island.
His comments came at a discussion with the Mannar Citizens Committee regarding the problems faced by the locals while such development projects are implemented there.
“Those who are connected with these companies include former military officers and influential people who have considerable powers. Due to this, the poor and the innocent people are hugely affected”.
Police have also pointed out two of those arrested with regard to the 2023 Mannar killings are in the military.
Hemantha Withanage’s comments came at a press briefing held on January 29 with the Mannar Citizens Committee where it was discussed how the locals are affected due to a power plant installed by the Ceylon Electricity Board and land areas getting submerged in water on account of road expansion in the Mannar island.
“What we have seen so far is that most of the areas in Mannar are covered by water. All low-lying lands are waterlogged. People are facing immense difficulties. They have lost jobs. Even toilet facilities are not available to them. Moreover, the children have to wade through the water to go to the schools. Many houses are submerged in flood water for weeks”.
He also highlighted the environmental concerns prevailing in that area including the migration of birds which he called a very sensitive environmental issue.
Explaining further he added the installation of yet another power plant in an area crossed by migrating birds causes serious harm, stressing it is a bird sensitive area.
“The main reason for this is the development of the main roads and the crossroads. But, the Ceylon Electricity Board while constructing the 100 MW power plant, laid a road using clay parallel to the beach. Constructing roads in such a manner, the water-flowing paths have been blocked. Now they are making efforts to build another 20MW power plant by erecting 2o electric poles towards Thalai Mannar. This area is a very bird-sensitive area and prone to floods”.
Concerns over Adani-backed power project
Withanage also explained the consequences that will happen to the Mannar island if the planned power project in Mannar is to be built by India’s Adani Group.
“Moreover, 56 more transmission towers are planned to be erected all over the island. When those electric pylons are erected roads will be constructed in the same places using clay. So, there is a possibility of that area being flooded twice or thrice more”.
Cabinet spokesperson Nalida Jayatissa said towards the end of January this year (2025), that although the Memorandum of Understanding entered into with the Adani Group to install wind power projects in Mannar has not been cancelled, a committee has been formed to review the power purchase and carry out ‘necessary changes’ in the procurement rates.
Recalling the loss of lives due to the already installed wind turbines in Mannar, locals emphasize they will suffer still more due to this investment.
The Executive Director of the CEJ added further that three multinational companies would use any amount of force including using retired military persons in an effort to extract millions of tons of rare earth minerals.
“Furthermore three companies namely Orion, Mass Metals and Minerals and the Australian company, Ilmenite Sands, are currently carrying forward preparatory activities in their efforts to extract the mineral sand or Ilmenite”.
Locals oppose strongly
In November 2024, local villagers thwarted an effort by the investors led by government officials who visited the area with a view to handing over a permission letter to an international company to extract millions of tons of mineral sand.
A delegation of over 20 officials of the Survey Department, Central Environment Authority, Assistant Secretary of the Mannar district, and government undertakings visited the Olaithoduvai and Valanagar areas under the Mannar district secretariat to collect samples of the mineral sand for titanium extraction.
The intended visit was to secure five permits from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the delegation included representatives of recognized international companies.
Upon permission being granted by the Board of Investment in early November, Australia-based Orion Minerals, Titanium Sands (Pvt) Ltd opened an office in Sri Lanka to apply for further operations.
“The guidance and the cooperation of the Board of Investment has been of great assistance in this project. The approval of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the granting of a permit in the name of Orion has helped to speed up the application for the excavation. The results of that in the next few months will have a positive impact on the country” James Sears, Executive Director of Titanium Sands said at that time.
Geologist Duck Bright with over five decades in mineral extraction said the expected revenue from the investment by Titanium Sands was two billion Australian dollars and a potential of extracting 150,000 tons of mineral sand every year.
He said 122 million Australian dollars would be invested in the project and expressed optimism that 600 locals would get job opportunities through international investment by Ilmenite producers.
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