Dehigama belongs to the Ridimaliyadda Divisional Secretariat in Uva Province. The Dehigama land issue is another example that exposes the naked truth of government development strategies. For generations the people of Rideemaliyadda, Dehigama and Ekiriyankumbura have thrived on agriculture. Many practice chena cultivation while others grow maize on the fringes of the Nilgala forest reserve. Others cultivate paddy, millet and other grains. Successive government tried and failed two times to lease the land for private companies. Most recent case being 2022 when the  Land was to be leased (65,000 acres) for sugarcane cultivation to a private company by the Government; highlighting corporate exploitation endorsed by the government. Displacing local peasants, the company disrupted livelihoods. Peasants, organized through grassroots movements, fought for land rights, facing state and corporate repression. Although 572 acres were allocated for building the relevant company’s sugar factory and fencing was done, the Peasants united and removed them. After reclaiming these 572 acres of land, they occupied it. MONLAR and CEJ and other Civil Society Organizations were with the community for this struggle, and it is an excellent precedent that Peasants land rights can be fought for and won. This struggle reflects broader tensions over Agrarian reforms, Neoliberal policies, and Rural Dispossession in Sri Lanka. Despite challenges, Peasant’s resistance underscores the enduring fight for justice and equitable resource distribution. The proposed sugarcane project posed a significant threat to wildlife, particularly elephants. The area serves as a vital elephant corridor and the villagers have coexisted peacefully with the animals for generations with no record of conflict. The project has disrupted this delicate balance, potentially forcing elephants into villages, leading to conflict and endangerment.

MONLAR, CEJ and the People’s Alliance for Right to Land offered a promising solution. By transitioning from the traditional chena cultivation to permanent crops such as coconut, cashew, lime and rambutan, the villagers are not only strengthening their claim to the land but also charting a path towards a more sustainable future. With the guidance of MONLAR, Peasants in the area began building Agroecology movement to start Agroforestry against large-scale monoculture plantations. There are 10 acres of Agroforestry land in the first phase. An Agroecology produce marketing system is also being developed, and several more acres of land are being prepared for Agroforestry

• DATE : 12th of September 2025
• STARTING TIME : 6.30 AM
• DISTANCE FROM NICD: 110km
• TRAVELLING TIME: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Maximum number of participants is 60
• Breakfast will be provided at NICD or hotel
• Lunch will be provided on the site, local food and fruits will be provided by the community.