This article is a continuation of my previous report on the realities of life in the Delft Island. In the first part, I detailed the challenges faced by the people, including infrastructure issues and a lack of essential services. In this second part, I dive deeper into the power crisis, environmental concerns, and other hidden struggles of the people of this remote island.
Delft Island is no stranger to darkness. The people here experience frequent and prolonged power outages sometimes lasting up to four hours at a time. During my stay, I witnessed first-hand how the power would go out from midnight until 3 a.m., leaving the island in complete darkness. For the residents, this has become an accepted part of daily life.
To understand the root of the issue, I spoke to some villagers who took me to the electricity distribution point on Delft Island. There, I saw two massive generators owned by the Ceylon Electricity Board. According to the locals, one of these generators was frequently out of service, causing power disruptions.
The seawater treatment plant
The scene at the distribution point was unsettling. Everything around coconut trees, palm trees, and even the walls of houses was blackened with soot. The overpowering stench of diesel and smoke made it difficult to breathe, even from a distance of 50 metres. The noise from the running generator was so deafening that I couldn’t hear the person standing right next to me. The placement of this facility, amid 10-15 houses near the main road, raises serious concerns. Is this really a suitable location for such a facility?
Many residents living nearby reported frequent health issues, which they suspect are linked to constant exposure to the toxic air. Long-term inhalation of such pollutants could lead to severe respiratory and other health complications.
But the bigger question remains: What is the long-term solution for Delft Island’s power needs?
Geopolitical conflict
Delft Island is more than just a small, remote landmass; it holds significant geopolitical importance. Located strategically South of India, the island has been at the centre of global politics, especially between China and India.
Initially, China had plans to build wind power plants on the island, offering to fund half the cost of the project. However, India, realising the potential security risks of Chinese involvement, swiftly stepped in and proposed to set up a wind power project on Delft for free 100 MW wind turbines via the Adani Group. This agreement was signed in 2024.
The electricity distribution point
What is most concerning is that the residents of Delft know little to nothing about this agreement. Some believe the project is a gift from China, while others assume India is simply being generous. But behind the scenes, the power struggle between these two Asian giants is shaping the future of Delft Island. While renewable energy projects like wind power are generally seen as environmentally friendly, the ecological impact on Delft could be devastating.
The island boasts a rich biodiversity, home to numerous bird species, bats, marine life, and other unique creatures. If this large-scale wind farm materialises, what will happen to them?
I visited the site where the wind farm is under construction. The work has already begun, with the landscape being cleared for development. The site, previously a wetland, now faces significant environmental threats. Sri Lanka has already seen the negative consequences of similar projects in areas like Mannar and Kalpitiya. If this project follows the same path, Delft’s delicate ecosystem could be irreversibly damaged.
The saddest part? The people of Delft Island remain completely unaware of these impending changes.
The water crisis
Access to clean drinking water is one of the most pressing challenges for Delft’s residents. Being an island, fresh water sources are limited. In the past, villagers relied on water from a place called “Saraputti,” but as the population grew, the supply became insufficient. But villagers said the Sri Lankan Navy takes 60,000 litres per day to their use from “Saraputti”.
To address this issue, a seawater desalination plant was set up. However, the system is far from perfect. The water it produces is not enough to meet the island’s daily needs. Many villagers raised concerns about flaws in the project. Water leakage from underground pipes results in nearly half of the purified water being wasted before it even reaches the storage tanks. To make matters worse, the main water tank itself has cracks, causing further wastage.
During certain periods, when the salinity of the seawater rises, the desalination process fails to remove the excess salt. This results in undrinkable water, leaving the villagers helpless. Many villagers told me they have no choice but to consume this brackish water, despite frequent illnesses. One father told me he fears giving it to his children but has no alternative. This is the daily reality of Delft Islanders who are forced to drink water that could make them sick.
Despite the Government’s attempts to provide a solution, the water crisis remains a daily struggle for Delft’s residents.
A playground that never was
The wind power plant
Most Divisional Secretariat divisions in Sri Lanka have recreational facilities, but Delft Island is an exception. The only playground is at the local school. However, there was once a plan to change this.
In 2015, a project was launched to build a new public playground, with a budget of Rs. 8 million. The land was excavated, soil was moved, and construction work started. But after some time, the project was abandoned. The funds disappeared, and no one knows where the money went. The following year, another Rs. 1.5 million was allocated to build a boundary wall around the incomplete playground. The result? A mere foundation was laid, and the project stalled once again.
I visited the site myself. What I saw was not a playground, but a flooded pit with unwalkable land. Villagers believe this was a massive scam involving local politicians and government officials, including a former Divisional Secretary. They demand an investigation and justice for the misused funds. Due to the lack of recreational spaces, children and youth are forced to play on the streets or school grounds. The community deserves better.
One unusual aspect of Delft Island is its police station. Unlike most stations in Sri Lanka, the majority of officers posted here are those who have been transferred as punishment for misconduct elsewhere. Locals told me that three-quarters of the officers stationed in Delft were sent here as disciplinary action. This raises serious concerns about law enforcement in the area. Can a police force made up of officers with past misconduct records truly serve and protect the people? The villagers expressed deep distress about this issue, wondering how justice could be upheld in such a system.
Desperation and hope
A playground
As I left Delft Island, my heart was heavy with the stories of its people. Their struggles are relentless poor healthcare, failing schools, broken roads, a dysfunctional ferry system, South Indian illegal trawlers, power cuts, a severe water crisis, environmental threats, and deep-rooted corruption. Yet, the people of Delft Island do not complain. They have learned to survive, to adapt, to endure. They live in darkness, not just from the frequent power outages but from the absence of hope. They drink unsafe water, breathe toxic air, and watch as outsiders decide the fate of their land without ever consulting them.
In my previous article, I wrote about the island’s neglected healthcare and education. Now, I write about an even harsher truth: Delft Island is not just ignored, it is abandoned. Abandoned by politicians who see it as nothing more than a dot on the map. Abandoned by officials who exploit it for personal gain. Abandoned by those who should be protecting its fragile ecosystem. But the people of Delft are not weak. They are resilient. And they deserve better. They deserve electricity that does not poison them, water that does not make them sick, and a future that is not dictated by global power struggles. They deserve to be heard. Who will listen?
