• Note the absence of legal amendments to ease restrictions on entering forests
• Same threatens their collective identity, livelihood, culture, edu., religious practices  

The Vedda Chieftain, Uruwarige Wannila Aththo said that if the Government continues to disregard the rights of indigenous people despite Sri Lanka being a signatory to the relevant UN convention, the Vedda community would be compelled to inform the UN that their rights are not being protected in the country.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had visited their village on 9 August to mark the World Indigenous People's Day and assured them that necessary legal amendments would be introduced to address the long-standing issues faced by the indigenous community. He said that while the President had also reiterated this commitment in Parliament, there has however been no sign thus far of any such amendments being drafted or presented.

"Our issues have been discussed with successive Governments over the past, but, all of them failed to provide solutions. We initially had some confidence in the present Government, but, we now doubt whether it will follow the same path as previous administrations. Our entire way of life is inseparable from the forests. Our livelihood, culture, education, and religious practices are all connected to the forest. Existing restrictions on entering forest areas threaten our identity."

Wannila Aththo pointed out that there is a UN convention dedicated to the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights and that Sri Lanka is a signatory to it. Despite this, he said, indigenous rights are not being adequately protected at the national level. “If the Government continues to ignore our rights, we will have to inform the UN. Still, we have some confidence in this Government, and we hope that it will act,” he added.

In late 2023, the Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Ministry announced plans to introduce a new Act aimed at providing lasting solutions to the Vedda community, based on recommendations made by a specially appointed committee. Attempts to contact the Ministry Secretary, President's Counsel Ayesha Jinasena proved futile.

The Vedda, also known as the Veddah community, are believed to have inhabited Sri Lanka prior to the 6th Century BC. While many have been absorbed into the wider population over time, community leaders continue to call for formal representation, including the appointment of a National List Parliamentarian or the creation of a separate Ministry, dedicated to addressing indigenous issues.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is legally non-binding while the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 169 (Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989) is legally binding.