Interface conflicts and regulatory decision making process on power projects in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a comprehensive EIA model in resolving environmental-related interface conflicts on infrastructural projects. The evidence suggests that the EIA model is partly responsible for escalating conflicts. Thus, this study attempts to identify drawbacks in the Sri Lankan EIA model to propose measures to resolve environment-related interface conflicts on power projects. Three case studies on proposed major power generation projects were analysed. The findings revealed that interface conflicts are intensified due to the drawbacks in the EIA model provisions, practices, and its enforcement. Amendments to the existing EIA model were suggested and validated. AHP model and pairwise questionnaire analysis revealed the stakeholders' preferred option was 'conditional-acceptance' and the least preferred option was 'non-acceptance' for all the cases. The results suggest that EIA-related interface conflicts on power projects in Sri Lanka can be resolved by facilitating wider stakeholder involvement. The proposed model is capable of promoting stakeholders' consensus on project options. Thus, it can be used to mitigate EIA-related interface conflicts in Sri Lanka.