Fr. S. Marcus Adigalar, President of the Mannar Citizens Committee, issued a strong warning this week against what he described as “destructive activities” carried out in the district by Sri Lankan government departments, non-governmental organisations, and multinational corporations.
Speaking at a press conference on 21 May, Fr. Marcus condemned the rapid expansion of mineral sand mining and wind power projects in Mannar, many of which, he stated, have been launched without the prior informed consent of local Tamils communities. He accused state and corporate actors of unlawfully seizing lands that belong to the people, jeopardising livelihoods rooted in fishing, agriculture, and communal living.
These projects are being undertaken not for the benefit of the people, but for profit without any regard for the survival or rights of the local population, Fr. Marcus said.
He stated that environmental experts had already flagged serious risks associated with these developments, including the long-term sustainability of local ecosystems. Despite these warnings, he said, at least two mineral sand mining companies and three wind power firms were pressing ahead at an alarming pace.
Fr. Marcus accused multinational corporations of operating with total disregard for the rights and survival of local residents. He warned that these companies, often backed by government support, were encroaching upon land and resources essential to the daily life and culture of Mannar’s Tamil population.
He also drew attention to what he called exploitative tactics being employed by these corporations. According to Fr. Marcus, economically vulnerable individuals were being misled with false promises of job creation and development. In return for small sums of money or other incentives, residents were being encouraged to support projects that, in reality, would result in the privatisation of their homes and community lands.
Fr. Marcus urged the public not to support these operations in any form and called for collective resistance to the ongoing exploitation.
His remarks come amid ongoing discontent over development projects in the North-East that proceed without consultation or accountability. Politicians and civil society groups across the region have repeatedly raised alarm over land appropriation, environmental degradation, and the marginalisation of Tamil voices.
