By: Isuru Parakrama
October 14, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General’s Office has informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet has decided to resort to reconsideration pertaining to the proposed wind-power project in Vedithalativ, Mannar being handed over to India’s Adani Company.
This was when the fundamental rights (FR) petition demanding the nullification of the agreement reached between the government of Sri Lanka and the Adani Company on the wind-power project was called in before the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices S. Thurairajah, A.H.M.D. Navaz, Shiran Gunathillake, Achala Vengappuli and Mahinda Samayawardhana today (14).
The petition was lodged by a group of civil activists, including the Wildlife and Natural Resources Protection Association and the Centre for Environmental Justice. Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Avanthi Perera appearing for the AG’s Office has informed the aforementioned decision to the apex court.
Matters involving the execution of the proposed wind-power project were to be reconsidered by the Cabinet on October 07, Deputy Solicitor General Dr. Avanthi Perera, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary and the Minister of Energy, told Court, revealing that the content of the said agreement between the government of Sri Lanka and Adani are being reviewed and the execution of the project, thereafter, will be reconsidered.
She further informed the Court that the current interim Cabinet of Ministers has made this decision, and requested fixation of a date for the announcement of any final decision on the execution of the project to be made by the new Cabinet post-election.
The Deputy Solicitor General further informed orally that the current state of affairs of the project is being maintained until due course.
Expressing approval for the information tendered by the Deputy Solicitor General, the petitioners requested the Court to grant permission to add amendments to the petition by including the members of the Cabinet pending appointment, in the event that a change of the respondents cited in the petition has occurred succeeding the recent regime change.
Considering the facts, the Supreme Court has granted permission for the addition of amendments to the petition, and ordered that any observation pertaining to the matter from the government’s end be informed before January 31, 2025.
