Superintendent Minister of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka, Rev. Kandaiya Jegathas, has called on all parties to prioritise the welfare and voices of the people of Mannar in relation to the controversial wind power project being constructed in the region.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Jaffna Press Club on Tuesday, Rev. Jegathas said the project had become “one of the major daily concerns of the people of Mannar,” warning that the Sri Lankan government must not proceed without addressing their grievances.
He noted that the Sri Lankan government had already announced its approval for the project and declared that it would move forward as planned. The same message, he said, was repeated by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a meeting with the Bishop of Mannar, though the Bishop “continues to stand firmly on the side of the people’s will.”
Across the world, many countries are prioritising renewable energy, Rev. Jegathas said. “Yet, in those countries, such projects are carried out only in areas uninhabited by people.”
The Mannar wind power project has faced fierce opposition from local residents and environmentalists who have warned of severe ecological and social consequences. Geologist Nagamuthu Pradeeparaj also cautioned that the project could cause long-term harm to the region’s natural environment, ecosystem, and marine life.
As the protest by Mannar residents continues for over 80 days, Rev. Jegathas said the Methodist Church would “stand in solidarity with them and lend our support to their struggle and their rightful demands.”
