• Says long-awaited legislation has been submitted to Cabinet

The Government is firmly committed to protecting the rights and culture of the Indigenous Vedda community, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya said.

She said the long-awaited Indigenous Rights Bill, which had been requested by the Vedda community for many years, had now been submitted to the Cabinet, adding that the Government would expedite the next steps after consulting Indigenous representatives and other relevant institutions.

The Premier made these remarks as the chief guest at the “World Indigenous Day 2026” celebrations held at the Dambana Indigenous Peoples Heritage Museum. 

Speaking further, she said: “The Indigenous Vedda people are a community that lives in harmony with the environment and considers the environment itself their home. Deeply rooted environmentally friendly customs, such as not killing pregnant animals and not destroying an entire beehive when collecting honey, are embedded in their way of life.

“Former Indigenous Vedda leader Uruwarige Tisahami once rejected an offer made by a Head of State to provide him with an official residence and land in order to protect Vedda culture. At a time when society often pursues personal privileges, that sacrifice is a valuable example for all of us.”

Dr Amarasuriya said development should not mean destroying the heritage of the Indigenous Vedda people, adding that it was the responsibility of everyone to stand up for their rights in line with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

She said previous Governments had discussed the Indigenous Rights Bill with the community, but no legislation had been enacted, and that the present Government had now begun the process of bringing the legislation into force.

The Premier also said a special gazette notification had been signed under the leadership of the Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi, covering a range of matters including allowing Vedda communities access to forests, registering Indigenous Vedda people and issuing them with legal identity cards.

Vedda Chieftain, Vanaspathi Uruwarige Wannila Aththo, speaking at the event, said: “A country needs laws to exist. But when making those laws, attention must be paid to the people of the country, its communities and its cultures. We discussed our problems with many previous Governments, but no proper solution was found. We also presented our concerns after the present Government came to power. We hope that our views will be taken into consideration when laws are drafted and that the Government will proceed accordingly.”