Inhabitants of Navatkadu, a village in Batticaloa that depends on dairy farming, are on an indefinite protest against a solar power project that is causing them health and livelihood concerns.
Starting their agitation on 29 July in front of the divisional secretariat, they demanded a halt to the project that spans 60 acres and is located just 100 metres away from the village.
The 280 families living there say the radiation from solar panels are already causing them eye and skin ailments, and that pastures on which their cattle graze have been affected as well.
Talks with the authorities on four different occasions have failed to give them any solution, they said, adding that the protest would continue until the project is closed down.
They handed over a petition to the divisional secretary detailing their problems.
The project to generate electricity for use in agriculture was launched on 11 October 2022.
Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara said it was an investment by Wind Force, Vidu Lanka and Hi Energy.
