Tamils in Mannar have strongly opposed illegal mineral extraction projects, with reports emerging of former Sri Lankan military personnel facilitating land grabs for international corporations.
Concerns over environmental destruction, loss of livelihoods, and further displacement have fuelled protests as companies attempt to exploit rare earth minerals in the Tamil homeland.
On 4 February, an excavation team attempting to conduct mineral resource surveys in the Nanattaan divisional secretariat area of Vankalai, Mannar, were forced back by locals. The 20-member team, reportedly from Idam University, failed to obtain proper authorisation from local authorities. They had expressed intentions to proceed with large-scale sand mining if the soil proved mineral-rich.
An ex-Navy officer was notably part of the team, raising further concerns about military involvement in illegal extraction activities.
The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) spoke out against the involvement of former Sri Lankan military officers in development projects driven by national and international firms, severely affecting local populations. CEJ Executive Director Hemantha Withanage stated that “those who are connected with these companies include former military officers and influential people who have considerable powers. Due to this, the poor and innocent people are hugely affected.”
This revelation follows recent comments by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake acknowledging the presence of military personnel involved in organised crime and contract killings. Two individuals arrested in connection with the 2023 Mannar murders were revealed to be active members of the Sri Lankan military.
Residents of Mannar continue to suffer as a result of government-backed development projects, including road expansion and power plant construction by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Withanage noted that the construction of a 100 MW power plant and a clay road parallel to the seashore has led to significant flooding, blocking natural water flow and submerging large areas.
“What we have seen so far is that most of the areas in Mannar are covered by water. All low-lying lands are waterlogged. People are facing immense difficulties. They have lost jobs. Even toilet facilities are not available to them. Moreover, the children have to wade through the water to go to school. Many houses are submerged in floodwater for weeks,” Withanage said.
Plans for an additional 20 MW wind power project, backed by India’s Adani Group, have drawn further opposition from locals. Cabinet spokesperson Dr Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that while the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Adani has not been cancelled, a committee has been formed to review the procurement rates.
Withanage also claimed that three multinational companies—Orion, Mass Metals and Minerals, and Australian firm Ilmenite Sands—are actively preparing to extract mineral sand (Ilmenite) from Mannar.
In November 2024, villagers successfully blocked a delegation of 20 officials from the Survey Department, Central Environmental Authority, and other government bodies from granting excavation permits to an Australian company, Orion Minerals. The proposed project, with a planned investment of 122 million Australian dollars, sought to extract 150,000 tonnes of mineral sand annually.
“The guidance and cooperation of the Board of Investment has been of great assistance in this project. The approval of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and the granting of a permit in the name of Orion has helped to speed up the application for excavation. The results of this in the next few months will have a positive impact on the country,” said James Sears, Executive Director of Titanium Sands, at the time.
Geologist Duck Bright estimated that the investment had the potential to generate two billion Australian dollars in revenue, with claims that 600 locals would be employed—claims that local Tamils have dismissed as empty promises.
