A demonstration was held in Colombo on Thursday against the proposed wind mill project to be undertaken by the Adani group in the northeastern Lankan region of Mannar.

The protesters from the Gotagogama (President Gotabaya go home) village gathered at the busy Bambalapitiya sector south of Colombo.

They held placards questioning the lack of transparency in awarding the project to the Adani Group while shouting slogans against the Indian business house.

The 500 MW wind mill project sparked a storm after last week’s parliamentary oversight committee proceedings.

The remarks made at the hearing and later action by MMC Ferdinando, the state power entity’s chair to retract them forced his resignation.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa himself had to issue a counter to Ferdinando’s comments on the project.

The Adani Group spokesperson issued a statement on Monday on the controversy, saying: “Our 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”.

Fuel only for 5 days

Sri Lanka’s fuel stocks will last for about five more days, its power and energy minister said on Thursday, as the island nation awaits official confirmation from the Indian government for a new $500 million credit line for fuel.

A 53-year-old auto-rickshaw driver died of a heart attack on Thursday in Colombo’s suburb while waiting in a serpentine queue for fuel for the entire night near a petrol pump, becoming the latest victim.

People have left their vehicles for over two nights near filling stations as mostly diesel supplies have dried up while long queues remain for petrol supplies.

The driver had been waiting in line for fuel since Wednesday night in the Colombo south suburb of Panadura and he succumbed to cardiac arrest inside his vehicle, authorities said.

This is not the first time a person has died while waiting in line for fuel in Sri Lanka. Similar incidents were reported since the beginning of 2022.

Chronic fuel shortages have worsened this week with kilometres-long lines at some fuel stations countrywide.

The stocks cover fuel for vehicles, some industries and essential services. A month ago, the Prime Minister said there was only enough petrol for one day.

Sri Lanka is unable to make $725 million in overdue payments to suppliers and also struggling to open letters of credit for future shipments, power and energy minister Kanchana Wijesekera said. “We are struggling to get fuel supplies due to our forex issues and the government is working to manage existing stocks of diesel and petrol until 21 June,” he told reporters.