Mannar Wind Power Project: A Tale of Political Promises, Tender Controversies, and Corporate Influence

In June 2022, then-Colombo District Member of Parliament and current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made a bold statement on the political stage. He confidently declared, “If we are given the Prime Ministership and the Cabinet, we will rebuild the country in six months.” He also criticized Ranil Wickremesinghe and millionaire businessman Dhammika Perera, saying, “Even if a millionaire accepts a ministerial position, he lives off his money and never allocates it for the people of the country.”

However, it seems the tables have turned. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who once labeled Dhammika Perera as an enemy of the people, appears to have changed his stance. This shift became evident during the controversial tender process for the Mannar Wind Power Plant Development Project, a project marred by political interference and questionable decisions.

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The Mannar Wind Power Tender Controversy

On March 24, 2024, during the presidency of Ranil Wickremesinghe, tenders were called for the Mannar Wind Power Plant Development Project. Five companies submitted bids, with tenders being evaluated in two stages—technical and financial.

By May 15, 2024, two bids were rejected, including the bid from Dhammika Perera’s Hayleys Fentons, due to an improperly formatted bid bond. The remaining three bids were evaluated, and WindForce PLC, with the lowest tariff of USD 4.88 cents/kWh, was recommended for the project by the Cabinet-Appointed Negotiating Committee (CANC). On July 3, 2024, WindForce PLC was awarded the project.

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Appeal and Reversal

Not willing to accept defeat, Dhammika Perera’s Hayleys Fentons appealed the decision. On August 6, 2024, the Appeal Board recommended reconsidering their financial bid, arguing that the bid bond issue was not significant. Subsequently, on August 16, Fentons’ bid was opened, revealing a lower tariff of USD 4.65 cents/kWh.

However, on September 2, 2024, the Project Committee once again rejected the bid, citing major deviations in the submission. Meanwhile, WindForce PLC sought legal intervention and secured an injunction to halt further consideration of Fentons’ bid.

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A Shocking Twist

Following the National People's Power (NPP) Government’s rise to power under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, many expected a transparent and fair resolution. But behind closed doors, things took a surprising turn. Reliable sources revealed that WindForce PLC and Hayleys Fentons struck a private agreement to divide the project, with each company receiving 25MW of the project.

Despite this alleged agreement, on November 1, 2024, the CANC reversed the Project Committee’s decision, citing a Rs. 2 billion savings over 20 years by awarding the full project to Fentons. The 25-25 split never materialized. Finally, on January 30, 2025, the cabinet of the NPP government approved awarding the project to Dhammika Perera’s Hayleys Fentons, leaving WindForce PLC to watch in silence.

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The Road Ahead

The once anti-corruption National People’s Power Government is now under scrutiny for favoring Dhammika Perera’s company. Critics question how a government that vowed to eliminate corruption ended up approving such a controversial tender process.

The Mannar Wind Power Project saga highlights how political promises can change and how corporate influence can shape outcomes. While the government remains silent, many are left wondering what this means for the future of transparency and good governance in Sri Lanka.

NB: Relevant details and documents are available and will be presented upon official request.