Protest against handing over Nindagam lands of the Galgamuwe Viharaya to multinational companies

COLOMBO (News 1st): A protest was staged today opposing moves to lease out Nindagam lands belonging to the Galgamuwa, Ahatuwewa, and Nakolagane temples to multinational companies. The demonstration was staged at Palukadawala. The protestors demanded authorities immediately halt the continuous deforestation taking place at the hands of multinational companies. Meanwhile, locals complain that an unidentified group has destroyed Kumbuk trees on both sides of the sluice canal of the Kantale Reservoir in recent days. Our correspondent reported that around 30 Kumbuk trees had been destroyed in this manner. Upon inquiries made by News1st, the department of irrigation said that a project is underway to widen the sluice of the Kantale reservoir. Officials at the department of irrigation said that the State Timber Corporation is removing the plants on either sides of the sluice in a legal manner. When News1st made inquiries from the State Timber Corporation, officials said that the plants are being removed by an entity that had entered into a contract with the state authority.