by Ifham Nizam
Sri Lanka’s decision to grant permission for an Adani Group renewable energy project has raised significant concerns among environmentalists, economists, and the local communities.
Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage told The Island, immediately after launching the South Asia Just Transition Alliance Report on three cross border energy projects in South Asia in Nepal, that despite its portrayal as a clean energy initiative, the project serves broader geopolitical and economic interests while posing risks to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and environment.
Withanage, an environmentalist and the Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice, has been vocal about the potential consequences of such projects. “Adani’s power plant in Sri Lanka is not just about renewable energy. It’s a part of a larger political game that prioritises profit over people and nature.” He said that the proposed plant, part of an agreement between India and Sri Lanka, focused on renewable energy, yet experts questioned its true environmental benefits.
“Renewable energy projects can still cause significant environmental degradation if not planned carefully. Clearing vast tracts of land and disrupting ecosystems will have long-lasting consequences.”
The ecological cost includes threats to local biodiversity and potential pollution during construction. This directly conflicts with Sri Lanka’s efforts to protect its natural heritage and fragile ecosystems, already under pressure from unsustainable development projects.
He added that another pressing issue was the transparency of the project and its implications for Sri Lanka’s autonomy. Critics, including Withanage, believe that the deal reflects unequal power dynamics, with Sri Lanka acquiescing to India’s strategic ambitions. “It’s alarming how such projects are pushed forward with minimal public consultation or environmental assessments,” Withanage said.
The concerns align with a pattern observed in other regions where large multinational corporations, including Adani, have pursued projects often criticized for bypassing local regulations.
“What we need are sustainable and locally-driven energy solutions, not projects that exploit our resources and communities,” Withanage said.
