Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has announced that the long-awaited Indigenous Peoples' Bill has been submitted to Cabinet, alongside new measures to protect the rights and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka's Vedda community.
At World Indigenous Day celebrations held at the Dambana Indigenous Heritage Museum, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya reaffirmed the government's commitment to safeguarding the rights, cultural practices, and traditional livelihoods of the Vedda people. The Prime Minister stated that the Indigenous Peoples' Bill, which the Vedda community has sought for many years, has now been formally submitted to Cabinet following intervention by Minister Sunil Senevi. She indicated the government would proceed with legislative action after engaging with indigenous representatives and relevant institutions.
The Prime Minister emphasised that development initiatives should not come at the expense of indigenous cultural heritage. She highlighted traditional Vedda practices demonstrating environmental stewardship, such as refraining from hunting pregnant animals and avoiding complete destruction of beehives during honey collection. Referencing former Vedda leader Tissahamy's historical decision to prioritise cultural preservation over personal advancement, she framed protecting indigenous rights as a shared responsibility aligned with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Beyond the pending legislation, the government has already implemented several measures addressing longstanding Vedda concerns. A gazette notification signed by the Environment Minister has granted community members permission to access forest areas and established a formal identity card registration system for indigenous Vedda people. Prime Minister Amarasuriya indicated these steps would provide substantive solutions to persistent challenges facing the community. Additionally, relief measures for Vedda people affected by Cyclone Ditwah have been expedited, she noted.
