Soragune Forest which is belongs to Soragune shrine has been illegally sold to a businessman to build a hotel and a golf course. People downstream of Welioya, a river that provides life for more than 7000 families are in danger due to the possible destruction of the Soragune water catchment. Yet the authorities keep blind eye on this issue. As of the request of the local communities of Welioya and Soragune, Centre
for Environmental Justice, Sri Lanka Environmental Congress, Engaged
Buddhist Solidarity for Nature will launch " Dharmayathra for Forest
Conservation" at the Viharamahadevi Park on the 27th February 2014. The
Dharmayathra will reach Welioya and Soragune on the 1st March 2014 and
ordain the trees in order to protect the soragune forest. This 628 acre forest area is home to more than 35 elephants and
many other animals.The reservoir provides water for more than 7000
families living downstream.