682 hectares in Galgamuwa declared Nakolagane Sanctuary

Wednesday, 14 October 2026 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government will declare 682 hectares in the Galgamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division of the Kurunegala District as the Nakolagane Sanctuary under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, Cabinet Spokesperson and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

He was speaking at the media briefing on decisions taken at Monday’s (12) Cabinet meeting. Dr. Jayatissa said about 1,500 acres of long-standing State forest in the area had been used by several private companies for economic crops, mineral mining and soil excavation.

Environmental organisations then petitioned the Supreme Court. They argued that the forest clearing had damaged the environment and worsened human-elephant conflict. The Court ordered that the entire area, including the 55 cleared hectares and the remaining forest patches, be declared a sanctuary under Section 2(2) of the Ordinance or an elephant management reserve.

A joint survey by the Survey Department and the Department of Wildlife Conservation identified the 682 hectares. With the Irrigation Department’s agreement, the area also takes in the full supply level of nearby tanks. The Environment Minister presented the proposal.