A harthal is set to be launched today in Mannar in protest against the government’s decision to continue with the Mannar wind power project, Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna said. He urged public participation in the protest.
Speaking to the media, Archchuna said local residents oppose the continuation of the project, which was initially proposed during the Ranil Wickremesinghe government.
“Before coming to power, the government promised to halt the existing Thambapawani Wind Power Plant, as well as the Adani Group’s wind power project in Mannar,” he said.
Archchuna added that several Mannar residents met with the President, requesting the cancellation of the wind power projects, which they claim have caused significant harm to the district. “The President asked for a month to discuss the matter with stakeholders and the people of Mannar, but no positive response was received,” he said, adding that the President had misled them.
He further said that protests began last Friday but were met with police action. “This harthal is not a political move against the government, but a protest reflecting the concerns of the people in Mannar. I personally do not participate in political hartals,” he said.
Archchuna warned that installing nearly 46 wind power plants could severely affect local livelihoods, disrupting traditional fishing activities and causing long-term ecological damage. “The wind power plants may collapse after 10 to 15 years, and disposing of the parts will require large land areas, further harming the environment and the local population,” he said.
He also claimed that no ecological study had been conducted prior to the installation of the wind power plants. “The current government, which initially opposed the project, has now granted permission to continue it, blaming its inception on the Ranil Wickremesinghe government,” Archchuna added.
“I was elected to parliament as an independent and have always stood with the people. I raise their concerns in parliament, and I firmly oppose the Mannar wind power project,” he said.