In June 2024, the Bishop of the Diocese of Mannar, along with three environmentalists, filed a public interest litigation in Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court (SCFR/167/2024), challenging the proposed Mannar Wind Power Project, developed by Adani Green Energy (part of the Adani group). The lawsuit names 67 respondents, including the Cabinet of Ministers, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA), the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Board of Investment, the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Public Utilities Commission Sri Lanka, and the Attorney General.

The petition raises concerns over environmental and procedural issues, including the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), lack of transparency, and the financial terms of the power purchase agreement. The petitioners argue that the project threatens the unique biodiversity of Mannar, especially its role as a key migratory bird corridor, and could disrupt protected ecosystems such as the Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park. They allege the project will also have a negative impact on the livelihoods of fishing communities by pushing the fish away from the coast. The petitioners seek to halt the project, claiming that it violates the fundamental rights of the citizens and the environment. Another legal challenge against the project was filed by the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS) on 17 May 2024.

On 21 September 2024, Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won Sri Lanka’s Presidential election, with Dissanayake pledging to annul the Adani wind power project due to concerns about the sovereignty of Sri Lanka’s energy sector.

On 7 October 2024, the newly elected Cabinet decided to review the approval granted to the Adani Group for the development of a wind power project in Mannar and Pooneryn. The final decision on the project would be made after the November 2024 Parliamentary elections.

On 14 October 2024, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court was informed that the new government would reconsider the project’s approval, following the installation of the new Cabinet. This came after the June 2024 public interest litigation raised concerns about the environmental risks, the lack of transparency in the bidding process, and the high agreed tariff of $0.0826 per kWh, which petitioners argue would result in a financial loss for Sri Lanka.

In December 2024, Sri Lankan academics sent a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging him to cancel Adani’s Mannar wind power project. The letter cited environmental concerns, local protests, and threats to sovereignty, requesting the issue be raised during his India visit.

In January 2025, the Sri Lankan Government officially revoked its power purchase agreement with Adani Group over corruption allegations. However, the project was not cancelled, as a committee was appointed to reassess its feasibility and pricing. The review came amid concerns raised by environmentalists and activists, who argue that the agreed tariff was too high and the project could harm local ecosystems.

In February 2025, the Adani Group announced its withdrawal form the project.

On 18 March 2025, the legal petitions filed with the Supreme Court seeking a decision to stop authorities from issuing any permits to Adani Green Energy for the operation of the Mannar wind power plant were withdrawn after the Attorney General's submissions in courts indicated that the project would not be executed. “However we have retained the right to re-litigate if a project of a similar nature – one that infringes the rights of flora, fauna and human beings, is being proposed,” declared the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), a plaintiff in the case.

The case is closed.