Mannar protest against windmill continues: Courts orders to clear blocked heavy vehicles

Mannar residents are on a sit-in protest throughout the day against entry of heavy vehicles carrying equipments into main island. Pix: special arrangement

Mannar Magistrate Court granted permission to allow five heavy vehicles, carrying equipment to construct windmill power plants that were blocked by protesters last night (11) to enter the main island today. 

Accordingly, the vehicles were allowed to enter the island under the condition that no construction work or fixing equipment of windmills should not be carried out in the next fourteen days, the Court ruled.

The case was taken up for hearing today when police moved to the court against six persons on the basis of public nuisance alleging protesters are blocking the entry of vehicles to the island and causing difficulties to the public. 

Lawyers appearing on behalf of protesters pointed out that the protesters are against the second phase of the windmill project considering the impact it will cause in the near future. M.A. Sumanthiran P.C along with Mannar Bar lawyers appeared in the Court. 

For the last ten days, Mannar residents have been engaged in a sit-in protest demanding to stop implementing the second phase of the windmill project in the main island citing environmental impact and livelihood challenges for local communities if the project is to be implemented. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 12/ 2025)