The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has expressed its views on the excavations around Mannar Island for oil and gas exploration.
Issuing a statement, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has stated that the attention of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka has also been drawn to the great environmental damage being caused to Mannar Island due to the excavation activities and that the opinions of the local residents should be sought before commencing such activities.
The relevant statement also states that the people have been disturbed by these environmentally harmful activities.
Although these activities are positive initiatives for economic development, it is the duty of those responsible to inform the public about such projects with proper environmental assessment or transparency, the relevant statement further states.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka emphasizes that a proper opinion poll should be held to ascertain the public opinion of the area before such a development project and that the livelihood and water resources of the fishing community on Mannar Island should not be affected.