Mannar wind turbines spark conflict with Sri Lankan fishing communities

Fishermen on Sri Lanka's Mannar peninsula are reporting a significant decline in fish catches, attributing the loss to the wind turbine project installed by the state-owned Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). Local residents and fishermen claim the turbines have disrupted traditional fishing grounds, with some suggesting the shadows from the rotating blades drive fish away from the shallows.

Beyond dwindling catches, locals have also blamed the installations for increased flooding in coastal villages. While the government views renewable energy as an economic necessity to reduce reliance on expensive fuel imports, community leaders from the civil society group OPEnE argue that while they do not oppose green energy in principle, the current locations are poorly chosen and lack sufficient consultation with affected populations.

The project has seen multiple phases: an initial 104-megawatt installation in 2020, a second phase of 14 turbines currently under construction, and a third phase of 52 turbines that was cancelled in 2025 following a commercial dispute with the Indian conglomerate Adani.