Govt’s Mannar wind farm u-turn exposed as environmental hoax, activists charge

The Jana Aragala Movement says the government is attempting to deceive the public regarding its stance on the Mannar wind power project.

Speaking to the media, Wasantha Mudalige, a national executive member of the Movement, claimed that the recent cabinet decision to halt the project was misleading and failed to address its ongoing environmental and social impacts.

Mudalige noted that while the cabinet’s announcement suggested a suspension of new wind farm projects in Mannar, it did not include a commitment to stop the existing developments.

“The government admits the project has harmful effects on the environment and on the people of Mannar, yet it continues with the installation of 14 turbines,” he said.

He also accused officials of sending mixed messages—while the cabinet spokesman declared in Colombo that no new projects would commence, the Ministry of Power reportedly informed local communities in Mannar that the current plan to install turbines would continue.

Highlighting the environmental concerns, Mudalige emphasized that the turbines are disrupting the bird migration zone and threatening the fragile ecosystem of Mannar Island.

He reaffirmed that the Jana Aragala Movement would continue to oppose the project, insisting that “development at the cost of the lives and livelihoods of thousands is meaningless.”