The government has submitted the long-awaited Indigenous Peoples Bill to the Cabinet, with discussions on the proposed legislation expected to begin this week, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said. Speaking at the World Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2026 celebrations held at the Indigenous Heritage Museum premises in Dambana on August 9, the Prime Minister said the government was committed to protecting the rights and culture of Sri Lanka’s Indigenous communities. She said Indigenous leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and the Indigenous community had held discussions with successive governments for years seeking legislation specifically addressing their rights, but the process had not previously been completed. Amarasuriya said the proposed Bill has now been referred to the Cabinet following the intervention of Minister Sunil Senevi. She said enacting the legislation would require extensive discussions with relevant ministries, departments, institutions and Indigenous communities, while ensuring that the proposed law does not conflict with existing legislation. The government is taking steps to appoint the necessary committees, with discussions on the Bill expected to commence this week, she added. The Prime Minister also announced that an extraordinary gazette notification addressing several issues affecting Indigenous communities had been signed under the leadership of the Minister in charge of the environment. According to Amarasuriya, the measures include provisions concerning permission for Indigenous people to enter forests as part of their daily lives, the registration of Indigenous communities and the issuance of legal identification. She said the measures were expected to provide lasting solutions to several longstanding issues and enable Indigenous communities to protect their rights and culture while continuing their traditional way of life. Amarasuriya acknowledged that development projects and the declaration of national parks had threatened Indigenous communities’ access to their traditional forest lands and their way of life. “Development does not mean destroying the heritage of Indigenous people,” she said, adding that the government was committed to protecting their traditional land rights and cultural autonomy while improving access to sustainable livelihoods, education and healthcare. Indigenous leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo, addressing the event, said laws were necessary for a country but should be formulated with proper consideration for its people, communities and cultures. He said Indigenous communities had raised their concerns with several previous governments without receiving lasting solutions and urged the current government to take their views into consideration when drafting new laws affecting them. The 2026 World Indigenous Peoples’ Day event was held under the theme “Honouring Indigenous Traditional Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” (Newswire) The post Indigenous Peoples Bill sent to Cabinet; discussions to begin this week – PM appeared first on Newswire.
