This is a village belonging to Kurunegala District in the North Western Province; Agricultural area engaged in both highland and wetland farming throughout the year.

The Nakolagane forest, spanning 5000 acres, serves as a habitat for many animals including elephants, sambur deer, wild boar, and monkeys. This is land that has been entrusted to the ancient Nakolagane Temple as a temple endowment act. In 1940s, then Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake took over a portion of this forest to the government for the establishment of Agricultural settlements. In 2021, the chief monk of the temple leased forest lands to businessmen. These businessmen have cleared the forest and cultivated various crops in large-
scale. They have built electric fences to protect their crops, and as a result, wild elephants have begun raiding villages. This has posed threats not only to Peasants’ livelihoods and personal safety. This forest borders the Palukadawala reservoir, and the clearing of the forest has also caused the reservoir to silt up. Nakolagane reservoir is not an isolated tank but is connected to several other reservoirs. This has created problems for peasants in carrying out their cultivation.

MONLAR conducted various protests, demonstrations, and poster campaigns against the destruction caused by the temple endorsed corporate resource grabbing.  A case was filed in court together with CEJ (Centre for Environmental Justice), where verdict was given to stop the forest clearing. However, since it is unclear the implementation of court order with existing Temple Endowment Act, the chief monk continues the project with the Businessmen. The people continue to organize further protests against this. The MONLAR is currently empowering farming communities to protect farmers’ rights that are being lost due to this process.

The “Temple Endowment Act” in Sri Lanka typically refers to the Buddhist Temporalities Ordinance, which governs the management and administration of properties belonging to Buddhist temples. This ordinance ensures the proper administration of temple lands and properties, including their acquisition and management. It establishes the framework for appointing trustees, controlling chief monks, and managing temple lands and properties.

• DATE : 12th of September 2025
• STARTING TIME : 6.30 AM
• DISTANCE FROM NICD: 105 km
• TRAVELLING TIME: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Maximum number of participants is 30
• 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.