Residents staged protests in Mannar on Friday night as turbines and other equipment for a proposed wind power plant were transported into the town.
The protesters called for a halt to bringing wind power machinery into Mannar and demanded that construction of the facility on Mannar Island be stopped. They also reiterated their call to end mineral sand mining in the area.
According to police, the Riot Control Unit was deployed to ensure the vehicles carrying the equipment reached the town. Residents claimed police assaulted demonstrators, injuring three people, though police denied using force, saying they only intervened to control the situation.
Friday marked the 55th consecutive day of protests in central Mannar against the project. Demonstrators said the wind power plant would worsen flooding during the rainy season by blocking water flow in the town.
Religious leaders and civil society groups from Mannar had previously met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Aug. 13 to discuss concerns. The president had promised to reconsider the project, but residents said no action has been taken. (Newswire)
