Vedda Chieftain Uruwarige Wannila Aththo has requested a copy of the draft Indigenous Rights Bill from Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya to ascertain whether proposals submitted by the indigenous community have been incorporated into the legislation.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Wannila Aththo said the Premier had informed him that the Bill, which has been sought by the indigenous community for many years, had now been drafted and that only Parliamentary approval remained.

He said the community had previously submitted its proposals and views to the Government but had not yet been given an opportunity to examine the draft that had been prepared.

“I asked her to give us a copy of the draft because we need to see whether our proposals have been included in it. We also need to understand how the provisions in the Bill will affect our community,” he said.

Speaking as the chief guest at the “World Indigenous Day 2026” celebrations held at the Dambana Indigenous Peoples Heritage Museum, Dr Amarasuriya said the long-awaited Indigenous Rights Bill had been submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers.

She also said a special Gazette notification had been signed under the leadership of Environment Minister Dhammika Patabendi covering several matters concerning the Vedda community, including access to forests, the registration of indigenous Vedda people and the issuance of legal identity cards.