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Adani & Sri Lanka’s renewable energy: A G2G project?

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Multiple factions have raised concerns over the decision to award India’s Adani Group with an on-grid renewable energy development project in Mannar and Poonaryn, by considering it as a government-to-government arrangement.

These groups have called on the government to disclose the agreements related to the project.

The latest World Bank report on Sri Lanka titled “Offshore Wind Roadmap for Sri Lanka”, the island nation has good conditions for offshore wind and its locational potential is estimated at 56 GW.

The roadmap identified two large areas in the Gulf of Mannar that could be suitable for Sri Lanka’s first offshore wind project, and accordingly, an area in Mannar was allocated for the Wind Power Project that will be initiated by India’s Adani Group.

In addition, Sri Lanka has allowed the Adani Group to also initiate a renewable energy project in Poonaryn, and the total investments for both projects is a whopping US $ 442 million.

On the 11th of March 2022, the Memorandum of Understanding for the project was signed after the cabinet paper submitted by then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was given the green light by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The approval was given based on several preliminary requirements, including the need to pursue action on the next steps of the project based on the outcome of the feasibility study.

The cabinet paper also notes that Adani Green Energy Limited of India, which was awarded the project, was introduced to the Government of Sri Lanka by the Government of India.

Another cabinet paper on the same project, dated the 14th of August 2023 notes that the project should be considered as a government-to-government arrangement.

Why is this project being termed as a government-to-government arrangement?

The main reason to term the renewable energy development project as a government-to-government arrangement, it to give the project the necessary legal standing.

According to Sri Lanka’s Electricity Act, such arrangements can be made according to two methods, and two methods only.

The first is to call for open competitive bids, and select the most advantageous bidder.

The other, is for a proposal to be put forward to the government of Sri Lanka, by another government.

In this case, that is the on-grid renewable energy development project in Mannar and Poonaryn, the strategy adopted to award the project to one single company without calling for competitive bids and selecting the most  advantageous proposal, was to consider it as a government-to-government proposal, and award the project to Adani Green Energy Limited.

However, several factions continue to raise concerns on how Adani Green Energy Limited can be considered as the government of India.

Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Power and Energy, Indika Anuruddha Herath told News 1st on Wednesday (30) that the proposal would be directed to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka, which would then follow the directives given by the Attorney General.

However, the State Minister said that NO decision had been reached on the method by which the project would be awarded.

(newsfirst.lk)

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Landslide warnings extended

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The Department of Irrigation says that the water levels in the Kelani River and Attanagalu Oya are rising to levels that requires attention.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department S. P. C. Sugeeshwara says that the Gin, Nilwala and Kalu Ganga remain at the flood level.

Many roads in the vicinity of the rivers have been inundated.

S. P. C Sugeeshwara warns that people should refrain from further using the rivers.

The landslide warnings issued to seven districts have also been extended, due to the prevailing weather conditions.

The Met Department predicts that the heavy showers in the South West will continue.

Heavy showers of about 75 mm can be expected in some areas.

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“SLPP Leadership can change if needed”

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Former President Mahinda Rajapaska yesterday said that there should be a change in the leadership of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), if the need arises.

When the former President was asked about the veracity of the news on social media about imminent change of the SLPP leadership, said that he is not aware of any change in the leadership. 

The President was speaking to the media after calling on Mahanayake Thera of the Rammanya Maha Nikaya Most Ven. Makulewe Sri Wimala Thera at the Vidyawasa Pirivena in Meerigama yesterday.

Commenting on the impending regulations on social media, the former President said that there are pros and cons in the social media. “I don’t have any issue with the social media,” he said. 

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa also visited the Sacred Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya and participated in religious activities. The Former President also met Chief incumbent of the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya Ven. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangharakkitha Thera and received his blessings.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the former President said that he is physically fit despite social media reports to the contrary.

(dailynews.lk)

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Kusal suffers shoulder injury

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During the first warm-up match of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka opener Kusal Janith Perera retired early due to a shoulder injury.

He scored 34 runs before leaving the field due to a shoulder injury that has resurfaced.

So far, the Sri Lankan team has scored 127 runs for two wickets.

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