August 10, Colombo (LNW): The Government is moving towards formally recognising the identity and traditional rights of Sri Lanka’s Indigenous communities, with new measures set to introduce legal identification and address long-standing concerns over access to forest areas.
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya announced the developments while speaking at the 2026 World Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrations held yesterday (09) at the Indigenous Heritage Museum in Dambana.
She said an Extraordinary Gazette notification had been signed under the direction of the Minister responsible for the environment, paving the way for several measures intended to address issues that have affected Indigenous communities for decades.
Among the proposed arrangements are a formal system for registering members of Indigenous communities, the provision of legally recognised identification documents and permission for Indigenous people to access forest areas in connection with their traditional livelihoods and day-to-day activities.
According to the Prime Minister, the measures are intended to offer practical and lasting solutions while allowing Indigenous communities to preserve their cultural identity and continue aspects of their traditional way of life.
Amarasuriya also disclosed that the long-awaited Indigenous Peoples Bill has now been presented to the Cabinet. Cabinet-level discussions on the proposed legislation are expected to commence this week, potentially marking an important step towards establishing a dedicated legal framework for the protection of Indigenous rights.
The Prime Minister noted that Indigenous leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and representatives of the community had engaged with successive administrations over many years in an effort to secure legislation specifically addressing their concerns.
However, despite those discussions, attempts to establish a comprehensive legal framework had not previously reached completion.
Amarasuriya said the latest move followed the intervention of Minister Sunil Senevi, after which the proposed Bill was formally referred to the Cabinet for consideration.
The Government’s latest initiatives are expected to bring renewed attention to the rights of Sri Lanka’s Indigenous population, particularly issues surrounding legal recognition, access to traditional lands and forests, and the preservation of cultural practices passed down through generations.