Under Gazette of 6th October 1961 and the Town and Country Planning Ordinance any development conducted within a sacred city should obtain prior approval the National Physical Planning Department but it is learnt that the Basnayake Nilame had not obtained any approval whatsoever.

When inquired from the Nilame of Kataragama- D. G. Kumarage his response was that only an extent of one acre had been cleared for the construction of the elephant kraal and that the Temple needs no one’s’ approval to do constructions in its own lands .

However according to National Physical Planning Department Director Dr. Jagath Munasinghe, the Kataragama area was gazetted as a sacred city way back in 1947 and as such all lands within the sacred city is vested with the Department.

Dr. Munasinghe added that although he had sent a letter instructing them to stop, hitherto the Temple has failed to stop construction activities.

As such he had also informed the Divisional Secretary of Kataragama in writing that such illegal development activities should be stopped with immediate effect.

(Source- Ravaya)