Adani-led renewable energy project lacks legality, claims SL lawmaker

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Sri Lankan lawmaker has alleged that the government of the island nation is working to award India's Adani Group with an on-grid renewable energy development project in Mannar and Poonaryn, and a transmission line, in an illegal manner.

Independent legislator Professor Charitha Herath, who was elected to parliament from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, quoted a cabinet memorandum to claim that the renewable energy development project was marred with impropriety.

On the 11th of March 2022, Sri Lanka entered into an agreement with Adani Green Energy Limited (India) for an n-grid renewable energy development project in Mannar and Poonaryn of 500 MW by investing US $ 442 Million.

The agreement was signed after the country's cabinet of ministers gave the green light to the cabinet paper produced by then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, following which lands were also allocated for the said development project.

However, Professor Charitha Herath claims that another cabinet paper for the same project was submitted for approval on the 14th of August 2023.

"Projects should be produced under the provisions of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act, No. 20 of 2009. However, this new cabinet paper calls to consider the project as a Government-to-Government proposal. So, has Adani Green Energy Limited (India) been accepted as the representation of the Government of India?," said the MP during a media briefing in Colombo. 

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