Activists Without Borders has released a new documentary exploring the long-running struggles of farming communities in eastern Sri Lanka who say they have been denied access to lands they have cultivated for generations.
Produced by Activists Without Borders and directed by Baazir Kaleelur Rahman, Wattamadu: The Stolen Harvest examines the experiences of minority farmers in the Ampara District who claim that more than 1,000 acres of paddy land were reclassified as forest land, leaving communities without access to farmland that is central to their livelihoods and identity.
The documentary forms part of Activists Without Borders’ wider commitment to amplifying underreported stories and supporting grassroots communities across the Global South, whose voices are often absent from mainstream international discussions.
The film shows how many of the affected families endured violence and economic hardship during Sri Lanka’s civil conflict, only to face new challenges in the years after the war ended. Farmers interviewed in the documentary describe long bureaucratic struggles to regain access to land they say they had cultivated for decades before restrictions were imposed.
Rather than presenting a political manifesto, the documentary centres on personal testimonies from farmers and residents who argue that administrative decisions on land classification have had severe social and economic consequences for their communities.
Several farmers featured in the documentary describe farming not simply as an occupation, but as a way of life passed down through generations. Many say the loss of access to farmland has affected household income, food production, social stability, and young people’s futures.
The documentary also raises broader questions around post-war reconciliation, minority rights, environmental governance, and equal access to state institutions in Sri Lanka. While environmental protection and forest conservation remain important national priorities, the communities featured argue that historical land use and local livelihoods must also be properly recognised in policymaking.
“For many of the people in this film, the issue is not only about agriculture,” said Baazir following a recent screening attended by affected farmers and local representatives in Sri Lanka. “It is about dignity, identity, survival, and whether communities feel they are being heard.”
Iona Wilson, AWB’s Head of Programmes, said the documentary reflects the organisation’s ongoing work to support human rights defenders, marginalised communities, and grassroots advocacy movements across the Global South.
“Through this film, we hope to create space for dialogue, accountability, and greater awareness of the challenges these farmers continue to face.”
The documentary was test-screened in Akkaraipattu, Sri Lanka, with farmers, government officers, and Member of Parliament Athambawa Aboobucker in attendance, followed by a panel discussion attended by hundreds of people on 10 May 2026.
Activists Without Borders also collaborated with the Centre for Educational Excellence and Leadership Studies in Sri Lanka, hosting a discussion on the importance of documenting injustices, followed by a screening of Wattamadu: The Stolen Harvest on 15 May 2026. Activists and intellectuals from the Batticaloa District attended and shared their reflections.
Baazir previously directed Killing the Travellers: Kurukkalmadam Massacre, a documentary examining overlooked violence against civilians during Sri Lanka’s civil war. With Wattamadu: The Stolen Harvest, the focus shifts from wartime atrocities to the slower and often less visible struggles that continue long after conflict ends.
The documentary was co-produced by PRG Sri Lanka and associate-produced by Badr Zaman Mustapha, with support from local production company KR TV Network and the Wattamadu Farmers Federation.
The documentary is currently screening at international film festivals and is set for a UK premiere soon.
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