Alleged Indian pressure over wind power project: CEB chairman withdraws statement made before COPE

By Ifham Nizam

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman M.M.C. Ferdinando on Saturday night apologised unconditionally for his recent statement before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) meeting regarding the awarding of the Mannar Wind Power project to Indian conglomerate Adani. He said he wished to withdraw the statement.

Ferdinando said in a statement, addressed to COPE Chair Dr. Charitha Herath, that he had mentioned ‘Indian Prime Minister’ due to unexpected ‘pressure and emotions’ during the discussion.

“In regard to the clarification made by me at the COPE meeting held on 10 June 2022, in replying to the allegation made against me on the proposed Mannar and Pooneryn wind and solar projects, with Adani Green Energy Limited, to generate renewable energy of 500 MW, I explained the circumstances behind my letter dated 25 November 2021.””During this discussion I became so emotional due to pressures and unreasonable allegations levelled against me to issue this official letter of request. Therefore, due to unexpected pressure and emotions, I was compelled without limitation to express the word ‘India agamathi bala kara bawa kiwwa’ (stressed by the Hon Prime Minister of India), which is totally incorrect. Hence, I wish to withdraw the relevant statement and record my apology unconditionally,”During a COPE meeting at the parliamentary complex on Friday (10), the CEB Chief claimed that the tender for the wind power plant in Mannar had been given to India’s Adani Group as a result of the pressure exerted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Ferdinando, who is the former Secretary to the Ministry of Power, told the committee that the President had informed him to award the tender to the Adani Group as there was pressure from the Indian Government to do so.However, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issued a statement denying that he had exerted any pressure as regards the power project.

President Rajapaksa categorically stated that he had not at any time authorized the award of a wind power project in Mannar to any person or any institution.The President denied the statement made by the Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board at the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises in this regard.

“Sri Lanka is currently in an acute shortage of power and the President desires to expedite implementation of mega power projects as early as possible.” “However, no undue influence will be used in awarding such projects, Project proposals for large-scale renewable energy projects are limited, but special attention will be paid to the selection of institutions for the projects, which will be carried out strictly in accordance with the transparent and accountable system by the government of Sri Lanka.”