Legal challenges against Adani project withdrawn in Sri Lanka

Legal petitions challenging a wind power project by Adani Green Energy in Sri Lanka were withdrawn at the Supreme Court on March 18, 2025. This decision comes after the company announced it would exit the controversial project. The Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), one of the petitioners, confirmed the withdrawal was based on a letter from Adani Green to Sri Lanka's Board of Investment. This letter, dated February 12, 2025, indicated the company's decision to pull out of the project. During the court hearing, the Deputy Solicitor General shared this information, leading the WNPS and four other petitioners to withdraw their applications. The wind farm initiative, proposed with a 484 MW capacity in Mannar and Pooneryn towns, was met with local opposition. Residents and environmentalists raised concerns about potential risks to aviation routes. Questions were also raised about the government's choice of a private investor without a competitive bidding process. Despite these concerns, the previous government approved the project in 2022. The current government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has sought to renegotiate the deal to lower the previously high power purchasing tariff. In February 2025, Adani Green announced its intention to withdraw from the project, prompting President Dissanayake to criticize the high tariff of 8.26 cents per kWh. He emphasized that energy projects would be awarded based on competitive tariffs and not favor any specific company or country. A prominent local business newspaper noted that Adani Green's exit is a win for transparency in energy investment.