Hundreds of residents took to the streets of Mannar on Monday to protest the installation of new wind power towers on the island, warning that the project was being forced through without local consent and in violation of past pledges by Sri Lanka’s political leadership.
The protest, organised by the Mannar Citizens’ Forum and led by Father Marcus Adigalar, drew a broad coalition of support including Christian clergy, the chief Moulavi of the Moor Street Jumma Mosque, civil society organisations, local lawyers and concerned residents. Demonstrators also blocked the transport of heavy equipment brought in via the Mannar–Madavachchi main road, expressing outrage that project materials had been brought in despite consistent local opposition.
Following the protest, a delegation including Father Marcus, lawyer P. Deniswaran, public organisation leader V.S. Sivakaran, and Father Christunesan Adigalar met with Mannar District Secretary K. Kanakeswaran and Additional Secretary M. Pradeep. Residents reiterated their rejection of the wind turbine towers, highlighting that several villages near Mannar town had already voiced strong opposition to the plan.
Officials responded that the project had received Cabinet approval and warned that any disruption by local authorities could result in personal liability for incurred expenses. This announcement was met with frustration by the delegation, who stressed the need to pursue immediate legal remedies.
“Given the Cabinet’s approval, this matter must now be challenged legally,” said Deniswaran, addressing protesters after the meeting. “. We have been consulting with other legal experts. A fundamental rights petition will be filed in the Mannar courts this coming Wednesday. Immediate legal action without supporting documentation could result in setbacks, so we must continue voicing public opposition until then. Our movement must persist until we obtain a court injunction against this project.”
The legal team warned of the long-term consequences of the wind turbine project, claiming that the installations posed serious risks to future generations. They called on the community to sustain public opposition while court proceedings are prepared.
Protesters also invoked a pledge made by current president Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his campaign visit to Mannar. At the time, Dissanayake had promised that no wind power project would proceed without the full consent of the local population, and that it would be halted if there was popular opposition.
Despite those assurances, this project is being forced through, said Deniswaran.
Marches were held in surrounding areas on Monday, with protest leaders stating they would continue to demonstrate until the planned court date. They also vowed to prevent any further equipment from being brought into the town.
Among those who joined the protest in support of the residents were local government officials and parliamentarian T. Ravikaran.
The controversy comes amid increasing scrutiny over the government's handling of infrastructure and development projects across the North-East, particularly those being implemented without meaningful local consultation. Despite assurances from the Anura Kumara Dissanayake administration of a more accountable governance approach, Mannar residents say they are witnessing the same top-down impositions of previous regimes.
