In a bold move aimed at gaining momentum in Sri Lanka’s upcoming presidential race, National People’s Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has launched an attack on Indian conglomerate Adani’s 450 MW wind power project, calling for its cancellation. The opposition leader’s aggressive stance on the Adani Group, widely seen as aligned with Indian interests, has sparked speculation about his deepening ties with China, a key geopolitical player in the region.
Critics of Dissanayake have branded him a “China puppet,” accusing him of using his opposition to Indian business ventures as a strategic move to curry favor with Beijing. By calling into question the integrity of the $442-million wind power project, Dissanayake is not only positioning himself as a corruption watchdog but also shifting the political narrative to one that plays on nationalist sentiments.
Dissanayake’s most recent comments focus on what he perceives as a corrupt deal between the Sri Lankan government and the Adani Group, led by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. He pointed out that Sri Lanka is purchasing energy from Adani at $0.0826 per unit, significantly higher than the $0.0488 per unit offered by a nearby Sri Lankan firm. “The Adani project’s costs should be lower due to its massive scale, yet the opposite is happening. It’s clear this is a corrupt deal, and if elected, we will cancel it,” Dissanayake declared.
The Adani Group’s 450 MW wind power plants, approved by Sri Lanka’s Board of Investment in February 2023, are planned for Mannar and Pooneryn in Northern Sri Lanka. Despite being positioned as a critical part of Sri Lanka’s renewable energy strategy, the project has faced legal challenges, with its terms currently under Supreme Court review. Dissanayake’s vow to halt the project has fueled widespread debate about the fairness of foreign investments in the country.
Dissanayake’s criticism of Adani has been interpreted by some as a veiled attempt to undermine Indian influence in Sri Lanka while paving the way for closer ties with China. His detractors have accused him of serving as a proxy for Chinese interests, pointing to his silence on controversial Chinese projects like the Hambantota Port, which Beijing effectively controls under a 99-year lease.
While Dissanayake presents himself as an anti-corruption crusader, critics argue that his selective outrage reveals a bias against Indian investments, in contrast to his softer stance on Chinese projects, which have also been mired in accusations of corruption and exploitation of Sri Lanka’s financial vulnerabilities. As China continues to expand its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) footprint in the island nation, Dissanayake’s actions are seen by some as aligning with Beijing’s strategic aims to weaken Indian influence in the region.
The political and economic dynamics between India and China in Sri Lanka are part of a larger regional rivalry. India, with its proximity and historical ties to Sri Lanka, has sought to strengthen its presence through both economic investments and diplomatic channels. The Adani Group’s foray into Sri Lanka’s renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, including its $700-million investment in the Colombo Port, is a key component of this strategy.
On the other hand, China has heavily invested in Sri Lanka through projects such as the Hambantota Port and the Colombo Port City. These ventures have led to increased Chinese influence, raising concerns about Sri Lanka becoming economically dependent on Beijing. Dissanayake’s anti-Adani rhetoric plays into this broader geopolitical struggle, with his adversaries suggesting that his approach could pull Sri Lanka further into China’s orbit.
Dissanayake’s political gambit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is emerging from a crippling economic crisis, where public dissatisfaction with the ruling elite is at an all-time high. His attack on the Adani deal aims to tap into nationalist and anti-corruption sentiments, appealing to a population frustrated by what many perceive as the selling off of national assets to foreign powers.
By painting the Adani deal as a corrupt agreement that benefits a foreign conglomerate at the expense of Sri Lanka’s own economic well-being, Dissanayake is positioning himself as a candidate who will put Sri Lankan interests first. However, the label of “China puppet” could prove a double-edged sword. While some voters may appreciate his hardline stance against Indian influence, others may see him as compromising Sri Lanka’s sovereignty by tacitly aligning with China’s strategic ambitions.
As the Supreme Court continues to review the details of the Adani wind power project, the fate of the agreement could become a pivotal issue in the presidential race. For Dissanayake, the attack on Adani is more than just a matter of energy policy; it is a political maneuver designed to gain traction among voters who are wary of foreign dominance in Sri Lanka’s economic affairs.
The challenge for Dissanayake will be to convince voters that his opposition to the Adani deal is based on genuine concern for national interests, rather than a hidden agenda favoring China. As the election draws closer, how Dissanayake navigates these geopolitical tensions could make or break his campaign.
In a race where foreign influence and economic sovereignty are becoming increasingly important, Dissanayake’s anti-Adani rhetoric may appeal to nationalist sentiments, but it also risks alienating voters concerned about Sri Lanka’s delicate balancing act between India and China. Whether this strategy will propel him to victory or expose him to further criticism remains to be seen.
