Mannar: Renewable energy and sustainable development in meeting between bishop and president

Bishop Fernando received Ranil Wickremesinghe, with whom he discussed topical issues, from the impact of new projects on local fishermen to connections to the Madhu sanctuary. For the president's office, the prelate praised the government's 'efforts'. But there has been no shortage of controversy from part of the Christian community, which accuses the head of state of not doing justice to the victims of the Easter massacre. 

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The development of renewable energy projects in Mannar, and the related concerns about possible repercussions on the environment and the health of the population, were at the centre of the meeting between the president and the local bishop.

On the confrontation between Bishop Fidelis Lionel Emmanuel Fernando and Ranil Wickremesinghe, which took place on 17 June in the episcopate, there was no shortage of controversy and perplexity raised by the Christian community: first and foremost, the accusation that the head of state lacked honesty and commitment to ensure justice for the victims of the Easter 2019 attacks. "The bishop should not welcome President Wickremasinghe and bless him," pointed out some believers in the south. 

The President's Communication and Media Office (Pmd) reports that Bishop Fernando praised Wickremesinghe for his 'efforts' in economic reform, aimed at 'saving' the country from a long-standing financial crisis.

The meeting also discussed future development plans for the Mannar district, starting with the expansion of Point Pedro and Mullaitivu as primary renewable energy centres. The parties also reportedly emphasised the need to ensure that development activities are carried out or strengthened in full 'respect' for the environment. 

The Pmd note goes on to explain that during the discussion, ongoing negotiations for the sale of surplus renewable energy to New Delhi also came up. A feasibility study is currently underway for the creation of a power line connecting Sri Lanka and India, and further discussions are planned during the upcoming visit of the Indian Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka.

The Christian leader and the president then discussed plans for the expansion of Mannar as a tourist hub, including the Mannar Fort to attract cruise tourists. Wickremesinghe also emphasised that these initiatives will lead to extensive growth in all sectors of the region's district in the future, while the prelate addressed the head of state and the government urging them to address the (unresolved) problem of fishermen and the entire fishing industry.

Meanwhile, in a separate meeting addressing the Mannar District Development Committee meeting held at the secretariat, the bishop emphasised that the Madhu pilgrims would be provided with all necessary facilities to carry out their activities. 

During the meeting, he ordered the army to clean and develop both sides of the Madhu road to meet the needs of the faithful visiting the church. He also coordinated with a representative of the Bishop of Mannar, the Forest Conservation Department, the Road Development Authority and the police to ensure that these tasks are completed before the upcoming annual festival of Our Lady of Madhu Church. 

In spite of the announcements and promises, there was also no shortage of criticism and remarks against the bishop for warmly welcoming the president and giving a religious blessing to a leader who has so far been unwilling to do justice to the Easter victims.

A group of Catholics, questioned by AsiaNews, pointed out that "our Church leaders do the same thing every day, they hold one hand out to political leaders and the other towards us, to console us" but by acting in this way they end up "deceiving us".

Among the critical voices is that of Chirantha Amarasinghe, a young Catholic activist and YouTuber: he phoned the bishop directly, expressing his disappointment and strongly rejecting the welcome given to President Wickremasinghe. And the telephone conversation went viral on social media.