Sri Lanka’s President Dissanayake tells Parliament he cannot support Adani’s ‘excessive tariff’

Sri Lanka’s President Takes Stand Against Adani’s Wind Power Project Over High Tariffs

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has drawn a line in the sand, publicly declaring his opposition to Adani Group's wind energy project over concerns about its high electricity tariffs. During a heated parliamentary session, the President stated he could not support the deal, calling the proposed rates "unreasonably excessive" for the cash-strapped nation.  

The $442 million wind power project in Mannar, awarded to India's Adani Green Energy without competitive bidding, has been mired in controversy since its inception. Documents presented in parliament reveal the agreed tariff of 8.26 cents per kilowatt-hour—nearly double what Sri Lanka currently pays for other renewable energy sources. Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa slammed the deal as "economic exploitation," questioning why the government would lock the country into a 25-year agreement with such unfavorable terms.  

Public discontent has been growing, with activists and energy experts accusing the government of failing to secure a fair deal for Sri Lankan consumers. Environmental groups have raised transparency concerns, while local engineers argue that domestic renewable projects could deliver energy at significantly lower costs. The Ceylon Electricity Board has reportedly proposed alternative solutions that would reduce reliance on the Adani agreement.  

Adani Group has defended its position, maintaining that the tariffs are justified given global market conditions and project costs. However, the President's unexpected intervention has intensified scrutiny, leaving the government in a difficult position. With Sri Lanka still recovering from its worst economic crisis in decades, the decision could have far-reaching consequences—both for energy affordability and the country's diplomatic relations with India.  

As parliament prepares to revisit the issue, the debate has become a litmus test for Sri Lanka's economic sovereignty. Will the government renegotiate the terms, or will political pressures override public interest? For a nation struggling to balance recovery with self-reliance, the answer could shape its energy future for decades to come.