NPP MP Promises to Raise Wattamadu Land Issue Following Documentary Premiere
A feature documentary highlighting a long-running land dispute in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province premiered in Akkaraipattu this week, drawing hundreds of attendees including farmers, community leaders, activists, and political representatives.
Wattamadu: The Stolen Harvest, directed by British-Sri Lankan independent filmmaker Baazir Kaleelur Rahman, explores the struggles of farming communities in the Ampara District who claim they lost access to thousands of acres of fertile paddy land after the area was reclassified as forest reserve land.
For generations, the lands reportedly supported local farming families, but many residents now say they have been left without access to livelihoods, compensation, or effective legal remedies.
The documentary examines how affected communities have spent more than a decade seeking justice through appeals, petitions, and legal efforts, while continuing to face economic hardship and uncertainty.
Addressing the event, Aboobucker Athambawa, Member of Parliament representing the Ampara District under the ruling National People's Power government, acknowledged the significance of the documentary and the concerns raised by the affected communities.
According to attendees, the MP said he would raise the issue at higher levels of government and work towards finding a solution for the farmers involved.
The film also revisits allegations made by affected farmers that land reclassifications carried out during the administration of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa disproportionately affected minority-owned lands in parts of the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Some activists and residents argue that lands were designated as forest reserves or archaeological zones without adequate consultation or transparency.
These claims remain politically sensitive and continue to be debated within broader discussions surrounding land rights, governance, and minority issues in post-war Sri Lanka.
Produced by Activists Without Borders and co-produced by PRG Sri Lanka, the documentary was associate produced by Badr Zaman Mustapha, with support from local production company KR TV Network and the Wattamadu Farmers Federation.
Panelists and attendees praised the documentary for bringing attention to an issue they believe has remained underreported for years.
Through interviews and testimonies from affected farmers, Wattamadu: The Stolen Harvest explores the human impact of land disputes and prolonged legal uncertainty. The film argues that beyond administrative and legal complexities, the issue also involves questions of livelihood, dignity, and access to justice.
By documenting the experiences of communities in Wattamadu, the film seeks to contribute to wider national conversations about land rights, accountability, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka’s post-war context.
Baazir said the documentary is intended not only to highlight one local dispute, but also to encourage broader reflection on land dispossession and the experiences of marginalised communities across the country.