Five FR petitions withdrawn after Adani’s exit from Mannar Island Project

Five fundamental rights petitions filed against the Adani Green Energy projects in the Mannar Island  have been withdrawn by the petitioners.

During today's hearing, the Attorney General’s Department submitted a letter dated February 12, 2025, from Adani Green Energy to the Board of Investment (BOI), stating their decision to pull out of the project.

The Deputy Solicitor General Dr Avanti Perera also informed Court that the withdrawal was further confirmed through direct communication between the Ministry of Energy and Adani’s local agent.

The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) and the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) were among those who withdrew the petitions.

WNPS in a press release said ‘this outcome marks a significant victory in the ongoing efforts to protect Mannar Island’s fragile ecosystem. WNPS remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that all future development projects prioritize environmental sustainability and adhere to rigorous scientific assessments. The Society will continue to monitor the situation closely and take necessary action should any attempt be made to revive the project,’

Mannar Island is a globally significant ecological hotspot, serving as a critical stopover along the Central Asian Flyway, where millions of migratory birds from over 30 countries travel annually. Scientific research, including satellite-assisted tracking, has underscored the island’s irreplaceable role in global bird migration, biodiversity conservation, and Sri Lanka’s thriving wildlife tourism industry. WNPS has long warned that the proposed wind farm would have caused severe ecological and socio-economic disruptions, violating international conservation commitments and threatening local communities, WNPS said.

Mr. Sanjeeva Jayawardena Presidents Counsel with Prashanthi Mahindaratne, Dilumi de Alwis, Revan Weerasinghe and Rukshan Senadheera Attorneys-at-law instructed by S W Amila Kumara appeared on behalf of WNPS.