Mannar is no paradise for birds but stale land: says Energy Minister

Foreign birds- Flamingos during seasonal migration in Mannar. 

Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody refuted claims that proposed wind power projects in Mannar island pose a threat to the local ecological environment including birds and wildlife saying those claims are unfounded and alarmist. 

Downplaying the potential environmental concerns, Minister Jayakody told state run weekend newspaper Sunday Observer (August 10 edition) that certain factions are opposing the project with hidden agendas. 

Having ratified the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1990, the Vankalai Sanctuary Wetland in Mannar Island was designated as a Ramsar Wetland in July 2010. Mannar is also located on the migratory path for birds in the South Asian region as well. 

The relevant excerpt from Minister’s interview is reproduced below: 

Q: The Adani Group’s withdrawal from Sri Lanka prompted both applause and concern. Will we hear more about the Adani Group in Sri Lanka?

A: The Adani departure was not politically motivated. They had an agreement to sell power at USD 8.28 per unit. It was an uncompetitive rate compared to India’s USD 0.35. Such pricing would burden Sri Lankan consumers. It is simply unfair. There’s a mandate the people of this country have for us. So we set a cap at USD 0.50 per unit. For the welfare of our people.

Adani then chose not to proceed under those terms. They realised they can’t go about the way they did with previous Governments. We have since initiated international tenders; sixteen firms have already submitted bids. We have also asked Adani to submit a tender for this. No special preferences. If their new tender matches our objectives, then we might come to a compromise. We are ensuring fair competition, foreign or domestic, while insisting that profits from our natural resources be paid in Sri Lankan rupees.

Regarding concerns about wind farms near Mannar, I have to say this. Mannar isn’t some Paradise like many claim it to be. Certain factions in the society claim that wind turbines will devastate birds, destroy wildlife are, in my view, alarmist. I have visited the area and observed nothing to support these theories. You go from Mannar to the North of Pooneryn; it’s just stale land. People talk about birds but there are no birds there – nowhere from Mannar to Pooneryn. It is incumbent on us to integrate these areas into national development. But if we can generate power from Mannar, why should we not?