Colombo
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on Monday announced its intention to cancel the Adani Group’s wind power project in Sri Lanka if elected in the upcoming presidential election. JVP leader and National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stated that the project would be annulled, citing threats to the country’s energy sovereignty.
Dissanayake expressed concerns during a political interview, confirming that the project would be stopped. The JVP, historically opposed to India’s involvement in Sri Lanka, previously led an anti-India rebellion between 1987 and 1990 following the Indo-Lanka Peace Accord.
The Adani Group had received approval to construct a wind power project in the northeastern regions of Mannar and Pooneryn. The project involves a 20-year agreement for the development of 484 megawatts of wind power, with an investment exceeding USD 440 million.
The project has faced legal challenges, including petitions in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court. Concerns have been raised about environmental impacts and transparency in the bidding process. Petitioners also argued that the tariff agreed upon, USD 0.0826 per kWh, would result in a financial loss to the country, and suggested it be reduced to USD 0.005 per kWh.
The presidential election is scheduled for September 21, and the JVP is reported to be leading in unofficial polls.
