A forward-thinking nation always identifies and acknowledges its roots, and sees to it that in moving forward, it does not leave behind who and what formed its foundations. To reiterate one vital aspect of this duty, every year on 9 August, the world celebrates the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, in a context where their rights and value are being forgotten in modernisation and politics. This day was dedicated for indigenous peoples in 1994 at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, predominantly to discuss the protection of their rights and raise awareness of the same. However, when it comes to Sri Lanka, there is insufficient data about our indigenous people, known as the “Vedda community”. For example, one of the main reasons that forced a large number of indigenous youths to assimilate into general society was the loss of their traditional lands and freedoms.

Source: The Nation August 08, 2021 15:56 UTC