Corporate · Extractive
Mannar Basin hydrocarbons, Pulmoddai heavy mineral sands, NE wind corridor — all geographically Tamil, all licensed from Colombo.
SL mineral wealth concentrated in N + E (Pulmoddai heavy mineral sands, Mannar Basin hydrocarbons) and Sabaragamuwa (graphite). Cairn Lanka 2011 Mannar well found non-commercial gas, deterring earlier investment. Basin remains underexplored.
- May 2025Confirmed · Tier-A source
Cabinet approved exploration of four Mannar Basin petroleum and gas blocks; opened to international bidding without Northern PC consultation.
- Jun 2025Credible report · Tier-B
$50m private-sector Mannar wind investment package reported post-Adani withdrawal.
- Mar 2026Confirmed · Tier-A source
Ministry of Industry issued EOI for Kahatagaha Graphite Mine PPP.
Mannar Basin petroleum rights are geographically NE-specific. Tamil self-determination arguments historically include resource sovereignty over Mannar's offshore hydrocarbons. May 2025 Cabinet approval bypassed Tamil political agency over NE resources. Pulmoddai sands (Trincomalee district) are administered entirely from Colombo. The Mannar wind corridor is a new 'green extraction' layer — geographically Tamil, governed in Colombo.
- A
- A
- AMinistry of Industry · Kahatagaha Graphite EOI· Mar 2026
- B
- BLNW · SL taps Mannar wind power with $50m boost· Jun 2025