A fragile Sri Lankan island fights back against the threat of mineral extraction

Mannar Island, home to seagrass beds, migratory bird pathways, and diverse ecosystems is facing risk from deep sand mining that could destabilize its low-lying terrain and mineral-rich soil.
Around 70,000 residents, including more than 22,000 fishers, live on the island, which has swathes of paddy and coconut plantations. Locals fear sand mining would disrupt livelihoods and offer minimal economic benefits.
Residents of Mannar Island have periodically organized protests, including several peaceful demonstrations in Colombo, to voice their concerns over the environmental and social risks of proposed ilmenite sand mining and demanded their land rights.
Experts and activists emphasize the need for an entire-island Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that goes beyond individual project-based assessments before any large-scale development initiatives get underway, thus avoiding or minimizing irreversible environmental and social impacts.

COLOMBO — “Cries in silence, her veins robbed by greedy hands, each grain of stolen sand buries a future beneath the lands” — these lines from the song Karunilam (‘black sand’ in Tamil), composed by the young artiste Eric Fernando, give voice to the land and people of Mannar Island, in northwestern Sri Lanka. The song blends melancholy and defiance, mourning the potential destruction posed by the proposed ilmenite mineral sand extraction from this ecologically significant island.

Fernando describes Karunilam as a protest anthem, reflecting the sorrow and anger of the local community over the threat to Mannar’s fragile ecosystems, coastal beauty and traditional livelihoods by the proposed sand mining. The song also calls for unity among the islanders to safeguard land rights and cultural heritage against exploitation.

Ilmenite, sometimes also called ‘black gold,’ deposited along the beaches of Mannar. Image by Nagamuthu Piratheeparajah.

A fragile, globally important ecosystem

Ilmenite, the mineral of contention in this instance, is used to produce titanium dioxide (TiO₂), used in paints, plastics and cosmetics, and titanium metal, used for aerospace material, medical implants and corrosion-resistant alloys. Pulmoddai region in northern Sri Lanka is historically one of the world’s largest ilmenite deposits. Mannar’s deposits were first noted in British colonial geological surveys in the early 20th century, but the Sri Lankan civil war (1983–2009) delayed exploration until the 2010s.

Commercial interest grew in the mid-2010s when the Australia-based Titanium Sands Limited began extensive drilling in Mannar Island. Residents grew concerned as hundreds of exploratory holes appeared across the island.

Youth are at the forefront in demanding people’s land rights in Mannar and often use creative forms of resistance such as the protest song Karunilam (‘black sand’ in Tamil), composed by the young artist Eric Fernando. Image by Eric Fernando.

Environmental and social concerns

Nagamuthu Piratheeparajah, a senior lecturer in geography at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, warns that Mannar’s low-lying topography makes it extremely fragile. Deep excavation of up to 12 meters (40 feet) could destabilize sediment structures, particularly where leftover sand is deposited. The island sits on mineral-rich formations, including ilmenite, rutile and zircon, but, as Piratheeparajah cautions, exploitation could lead to an environmental disaster.

He emphasizes social repercussions, noting that livelihoods of residents, particularly fishing and agriculture, that depend on the island’s delicate ecosystems will be affected. He argues that the promised economic gains do not outweigh long-term risks and advocates for cautious, well-regulated approaches, including thorough environmental assessment.

Removal of sand from beaches and dunes destabilizes coastal zones, increasing the risk of erosion during storms and high tides. Loss of natural sand buffers also reduces protection for inland areas, making communities more vulnerable to flooding and storm surges. Excavation can lower the water table, reduce groundwater recharge, and alter natural drainage patterns, which in turn can affect drinking water supplies, irrigation and overall soil moisture, critical for agriculture.

Once removed, sand and coastal soil take decades or longer to naturally regenerate, Piratheeparajah points out. Rehabilitation efforts, including replanting vegetation, are complex and often fail to restore pre-mining ecological functions fully, he adds.

Mannar is home to some unique animals like Devaka’s fan-throated lizard (Sitana devakai). Image by Lahiru Walpita.

Chintaka Rajapaksa, moderator of the Movement for Land and Agrarian Reform (MONLAR), provides context that Mannar Island has around 70,000 residents, including 22,345 fishers. In 2019, the island had 3,649 hectares (9,017 acres) of paddy fields, 915 hectares (2,261 acres) of coconut plantations, 55 hectares (136 acres) of slash-and-burn cultivation, and 3,529 home gardens. “If these lands are destroyed by sand mining, there will be huge issues,” Rajapaksa tells Mongabay. He notes that the proposed projects offer minimal benefits to locals, apart from some roads and limited jobs, but at the risk of long-term disruption to livelihoods.

Protests have recently intensified, including a peaceful demonstration in the capital city, Colombo. Fernando says, “We do not want to fight with the government. We just want to protect what is ours before it is gone.” The predominantly Tamilian island also carries the legacy of past injustices from Sri Lanka’s civil conflict, but Fernando calls on all Sri Lankans to unite under the slogan: “This land is not for sale.”

Mannar fisherfolk say they are extremely anxious that proposed mineral extraction in the area could undermine the marine resources that sustain their families. Image courtesy of the Center for Environment.

Titanium Sands’ position

Meanwhile, amid mounting public criticism, Titanium Sands has stated that no mining has commenced and that it does not plan to mine the coastline due to low mineral concentrations. The company says it plans comprehensive environmental studies to assess impacts on coastal fisheries and the Vankalai Nature Sanctuary. Exploration currently involves hand auger and light machinery drilling in uninhabited areas, with landowner consent. Titanium Sands asserts that mining will not cause the island to sink, and the post-mining land may be higher than before.

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), chaired by J.M.S.N. Jayasinghe, clarified that companies currently only hold exploration licenses. Mining would require a separate license and a successful Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Mannar is a key stopover site for migratory birds flying along the Central Asian Flyway, making the island globally important. Image by Mohitha Hiranya Kodikara Arachchi.

Calls for comprehensive environmental assessment

Melani Gunathilaka of Climate Action Now (CAN Sri Lanka) stresses Mannar’s global ecological significance, noting its seagrass beds and migratory bird pathways. She calls for a whole-island Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before any mining or large-scale development, rather than project-specific assessments.

Similar conflicts have occurred worldwide. In Tamil Nadu, India, beach sand mining for ilmenite and garnet caused severe coastal erosion, groundwater depletion and fisheries loss, leading to bans and litigation. Coastal and island ecosystems from Madagascar to Mozambique have faced nearly irreversible damage once sand was removed.

The Mannar case illustrates that fragile, low-lying islands demand that environmental and social costs guide development decisions. Transparent governance, scientific rigor and community participation are crucial to ensure that mineral extraction does not destroy the very foundations of coastal life. As Gunathilaka notes, “If we lose the sand, we lose Mannar itself.”

Banner Image: Residents of the northwestern island of Mannar march in protest against the proposed ilmenite sand mining, calling for the protection of their land, livelihoods and fragile coastal ecosystems. Image courtesy of FIAN Sri Lanka.