Reacting to a major row over the award of an energy project in Sri Lanka, the Adani Group said they were “disappointed by the detraction that seems to have come about.” Businessman Gautam Adani-led group’s statement came days after a Sri Lankan official’s claimed that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave the project to the company.
The allegations were raised by the chairman of Sri Lanka’s Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) MMC Ferdinando, who has now resigned and retracted his statement.
Adani Group’s statement
Clarifying their stance on the controversy, Adani Group said that their intent in investing in Sri Lanka is to address the needs of a valued neighbour. “As a responsible corporate, we see this as a necessary part of the partnership that our two nations have always shared. We are clearly disappointed by the detraction that seems to have come about,” a spokesperson of the Adani group said.
The fact is that the issue has already been addressed by and within the Sri Lankan Government, the person added.
Moreover, the claim was also been denied by the Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa on Saturday. President Rajapaksa tweeted, “Regarding a statement made by the #lka CEB Chairman at a COPE committee hearing regarding the award of a Wind Power Project in Mannar, I categorically deny authorisation to award this project to any specific person or entity. I trust responsible communication in this regard will follow.”
Following this up with a detailed statement, the President’s office said that Sri Lanka is currently in an acute shortage of power and President desires to expedite implementation of mega power projects as early as possible. However, no undue influence will be used in awarding such projects.
What was Ferdinando’s claim?
The Sri Lankan official had claimed before a parliamentary panel that he was told by President Rajapaksa to give the wind power project directly to the Adani Group. Ferdinando added that the President insisted that I look into it. I then sent a letter that the President has instructed me and that the Finance Secretary should do the needful. I pointed out that this is a government-to-government deal,” he further added.
However, the claims have now been taken back the him as Ferdinando said he had been “overcome with emotion”.
The claims by the official were about a 500-Megawatt renewable energy project in Sri Lanka’s Mannar district. Industrialist Adani had visited the island country in October last year after which he also tweeted about his meeting with President Rajapaksa.
In 2021, the Adani Group had signed a $700 million deal with the state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to develop and run the strategic Colombo Port’s West International Container Terminal.
Meanwhile, almost six months after his visit, the Adani Group signed a MoU to establish two renewable energy projects in Mannar and at Pooneryn, in Killinochi district.
