Colombo, Sri Lanka – In a significant development, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mannar, along with three leading environmentalists, have filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Sri Lankan Supreme Court against the proposed 250 MW Mannar Wind Power Project by Adani Green Energy.
The petitioners have raised concerns about the transparency and legality of the procurement process, alleging that the negotiated tariff of 8.26 cents per kilowatt-hour would lead to financial losses for Sri Lanka. They have also questioned the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the project's potential impact on the environment and biodiversity of Mannar Island, a crucial bird migration site.
The Adani Group's involvement in the project has been controversial from the outset, with allegations of preferential treatment due to the close ties between Gautam Adani and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Opposition parties, environmentalists, and civil society organizations have voiced their concerns about the project's social and environmental consequences.
The Catholic Church's involvement in the legal challenge is noteworthy, as it is a powerful institution in Sri Lanka and its participation could significantly influence the outcome of the case. The PIL seeks a declaration from the Supreme Court that the fundamental rights of citizens have been violated and that the decisions to award the project to Adani are illegal.
The outcome of this legal battle will have far-reaching implications for the future of the Mannar Wind Power Project and the Adani Group's presence in Sri Lanka.
