Sri Lanka's government has submitted a long-awaited Indigenous Peoples Bill to Cabinet for discussion this week, with Prime Minister Amarasuriya committing to protect the rights and cultural autonomy of the country's Indigenous communities.
The government has moved forward with legislation specifically designed to address the rights of Sri Lanka's Indigenous peoples, submitting the Indigenous Peoples Bill to Cabinet for formal consideration. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made the announcement during World Indigenous Peoples' Day celebrations at the Indigenous Heritage Museum in Dambana on August 9, indicating that substantive discussions on the proposed law are expected to commence within days. The Prime Minister credited Minister Sunil Senevi's intervention in advancing the measure, which has been sought by Indigenous leaders for years through engagements with successive administrations.
Alongside the Cabinet submission, the government signed an extraordinary gazette notification addressing several immediate concerns of Indigenous communities. The measures include provisions permitting Indigenous people to enter forests as part of their daily activities, establishing a registration system for Indigenous communities, and enabling the issuance of legal identification documents. Amarasuriya stated these steps aim to resolve long-standing issues while protecting traditional land rights and cultural practices.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that previous development projects and national park declarations have restricted Indigenous communities' access to traditional forest lands. She emphasised that development initiatives should not compromise Indigenous heritage, and committed the government to balancing economic progress with protection of cultural autonomy, traditional livelihoods, education, and healthcare access. The government has begun establishing necessary committees to facilitate interdepartmental consultation, as enacting the legislation will require extensive coordination among relevant ministries and Indigenous representatives to ensure compatibility with existing laws.
