Spotlight on Wandama-Demaliya - Forest GOVT CIRCULAR PUTS LAND SALE PROJECT INSIDE RESERVE

The in forests located Rahathangama Grama Niladhari Division, which is part of the Wandama-Demaliya-Kuda Oya Government Forest- a crucial habitat for elephants roaming across Buttala and Wellawaya Divisional Secretariats in Monaragala district-have been leased to several companies and businessmen by an official attached to the Buttala Divisional Secretary.

- Sajeewa Chamikara

Additionally, a former Buttala Beat Forest Officer, who was responsible for overseeing these areas under the Forest Conservation Department, has facilitated the release of these lands to companies and businessmen by allegedly accepting bribes. This large-scale land scam has been orchestrated by a former Member of Parliament, who was also a Deputy Minister and a former Chairman of Monaragala District Coordination Committee.

Now there is bad news for individuals who have obtained lands inside WandamaDemaliya-Kuda Oya Government Forest reserve in a questionable manner. A circular dated 24-3-2025 and issued by Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody to Forest Conservation General of the Forest Conservation Department states that there are issues related to how lands have been distributed to individuals and companies inside the WandamaDemaliya-Kuda Oya Government Forest reserve. The circular stops plots of land from being further distributed inside this reserve to individuals. It adds that individuals who have lands inside the reserve and are grieved by this circular to prove legal ownership of their lands.

The Wandama-Demaliya forest area serves as a corridor for elephant migration between Lunugamvehera National Park and Handapanagala Wewa. Approximately 120 elephants and tuskers inhabit this region. Currently, around 3,000 acres of forest have been cleared, suspended electric fences have been installed, and large-scale commercial plantations have expanded. As a result, elephant movement routes have been entirely blocked, forcing elephants into nearby villages and plantations in Blocks 16 and including Thelulla, Ethilwewa, Kithulkote, Ulkanda, Handapanagala, and Pelwatte colonies leading to a severe escalation in human-elephant conflict.