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Environmental Impact
Assessment Case Studies
Camena Guneratne
Dept of Legal Studies
Open University of Sri Lanka
Trincomalee Coal Power Plant
Samanalawewa Hydropower Project
Facts:
Initiated by the CEB in 1986
900 MW coal power plant
Fired by coal imported at the rate of
around 1 million tonnes per year
EIA done by a US company at a cost
of Rs. 1 million
Criticisms of the EIA
Did not set out alternatives to the project
which would be less harmful to the
environment
Energy alternatives such as hydro, wind,
wave, and solar were not considered
The project prevents other development
activities in the area, e.g. fishing, tourism,
pearl culture
Criticisms of the EIA -
Continued
The site of the plant is not appropriate
from the view point of air and water
pollution and tourism impacts
Possibility of acid rain over the hill country
and tea plantations. EIA does not
adequately discuss this
Plant will use old technology no longer used
in the industrialised countries
No measures to control pollution
Issues not adequately
discussed in the EIA
Impacts on whales due to loss of
feeding material.
Impacts on ornamental fish industry,
Impacts on marine environment
Impacts on forest cover
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The Process
Generally open and transparent
Full public participation - EIA open for
public review
Widespread public opposition
Environmental NGOs united to campaign
against it - postal campaign by the public
The Coast Conservation Advisory Council
heard representations from 2 NGOs and
the CEB
Director of Coast Conservation refused
approval
Samanalawewa Hydro power
project
Prior to EIA laws
Part of the overall development of the
Walawe Ganga basin
Started in 1957 - for several years
surveys, feasibility studies and technical
studies were conducted.
1966 - first project design for a multi
purpose reservoir and power plant done by
US consultants.
Continued..
1973 - power project report prepared by
Australian consultants
1978 - feasibility study done by Russian
team. They discovered faults in the hill,
making it an unsuitable site for the
reservoir. This advice was not followed.
1984 - project report submitted by British
team.
Followed by a Swiss study suggesting an
alternative tunnel route. This route also
cheaper.
Continued..
1987 - design for a power plant
submitted by Japanese team
A Cabinet directive of 1984 made it
mandatory to carry out an EIA but
this was not done.
Original plan for a multi purpose
project abandoned and it now became
a hydro power project
Project funded by Japanese, British
and Sri Lanka government
Impacts of the project
Construction of the dam inundated
many acres of paddy and agricultural
land
400 families had to be re-settled
1987 - work on the tunnel caused
surrounding paddy and cultivable land
to lose water.
Deforestation in the surrounding area
Loss of biodiversity - endemic fish,
reptiles and amphibians
In October 1992 the right bank
breached causing a leakage of water
and collapse of part of the hillside.
Japanese engineers pumped million
of tons of cement under high
pressure into the dam side - cost of
2 billion rupees.
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Kandalama Hotel Complex
150 room 4 star hotel
Built on 50 acres of land situated on the
catchment area of the Kandalama Wewa
The EIA
Although law had been passed EIA
regulations not in force at the time
Initial EIA done, but CEA called for
further reports on specific issues.
CEA gave approval on the second EIA
but it was also not adequate
EIA - continued
Alternatives to the site were not adequately
considered
No action alternative not considered
Socio-economic survey not included in the first
EIA. Although the second EIA contained one it
was considered unsatisfactory
Question of waste disposal, sewage and pollution
also caused concern.
Monitoring process also considered unsatisfactory.
Alleged that project proponents violated
conditions.
The process
EIA not open for public review
The land is State land leased out by the
Land Commissioner but the correct
procedure had not been followed at the
time. Building began before land had been
legally leased.
NGO filed action on this issue
Land Commissioner followed procedure and
leased the land.
Kirindi Oya Irrigation and
Settlement Project
Facts
Situated in the Tissamaharama
electorate
Largest irrigation project in the
southern province
Project thought out in the 1950s as
part of an overall plan to develop
resources of 8 major rivers
Funded by the ADB and two other
donors
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Objectives of the Project
To dam the Kirindi Oya at Lunugamvehera
and create a reservoir
To enable the irrigation of 10,500 acres of
new agricultural land obtained by felling
forests
To provide additional irrigation facilities to
11,300 acres of existing paddy land
To settle about 8325 farm families
To provide pipe borne drinking water to the
villagers
Criticisms of the EIA and
project
Unlike other reservoirs in the south, there
is no surrounding national park to protect
the catchment area
Wildlife habitats have been haphazardly
destroyed by this and other projects like
the Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar projects
Water has been found inadequate to
irrigate all the lands
10,500 acres of forest have been clear
felled for irrigated agriculture
Criticisms of the process
and impacts
Alternative and more suitable sites
for the dam were not considered.
There has always been inadequate
water for the settlers to cultivate
Deforestation has affected rainfall
and soil
Problems among the settlers