• Notes that while hunting should be permissible, some reasonable restrictions can be imposed 

The Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannila Aththo emphasised that issuing identity (IDs) cards to only a few members of his community is pointless as the entire Vedda community should be granted access to forests for hunting and other purposes, with some restrictions imposed with regard to hunting.

It was reported recently that the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has taken steps to issue special ID cards to Vedda community members to enter the forests, and use the resources without obstacles.

Speaking to The Daily Morning on the programme, Wannila Aththo said that the issuance of ID cards to 10-15 members of the Vedda community would be of no use. He added that any programme allowing access to forests should be applicable to the entire Vedda community. "There are several generations of our community such as the Uruwarige, the Thalawarige, the Unapanawarige, the Moranawarige, and the Ambulowarige, based in areas like Rathugala, Nilgala and Pollebedda. If these ID cards are issued for all these generations, there will be no issue. Our community is not about 10-15 people. Every member should have their rights." 

When queried as to whether they would also seek permission to engage in hunting, he said that although he is not engaged in hunting, it is better if the other members of the community are allowed to do so, subject however to some restrictions. "What I ask for is to ensure our right to live with their culture. Our culture includes everything like collecting bee honey and herbs, digging yams, and hunting animals. Although I don't hunt, the others should be allowed to do it." he said. Adding that certain programmes have been put in place to ensure their rights during the regimes of former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, Wannila Aththo said that none of those programmes have been successful. "There is no use in doing things to please me as the Vedda Chief. They should think of my community and ensure their wellbeing."

Speaking to The Daily Morning on an earlier occasion, Wannila Aththo said that the longstanding issues faced by the Vedda community are still not resolved. Of them, he said that the issue of not having access to forests is greatly affecting all segments of their life such as their livelihoods, education, religious beliefs, and culture. It was against this backdrop that it was reported that ID cards will be issued to Vedda community members to enter forests. 

However, the DWC Director General Chandana Sooriyabandara recently said that he could not comment on the implementation of the programme until the relevant Ministries (the Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Ministry and the Justice Ministry) make an official announcement in this regard.