The Vedda community is debating whether to participate in the 75th Independence Day celebrations because they are undervalued by all governments, Vedda Chief Uruwarige Wannila Aththo said.
Addressing the media, he said that their freedom has been curbed and they feel like they have been kept in a cage.
Previously, our community was free to travel to any locations in our area, but the successive governments imposed restrictions and limited our freedom.
“Our community was invited only to certain government and national functions to represent the history of the country, which is like searching elephants for the parading during Pereahera. “After the function, we return to our territory, and the government showed no concern for the indigenous community,” he said.
The Vedda Chief blamed the government, saying it did not care about the community and did not look after its facilities and infrastructure.
It is suspicious that our community has gained true freedom. The Independence was granted only through deals. We were not invited to the Independence Day celebration during the Yahapalanaya government.
Even though Independence Day was celebrated, it is suspicious that the Vedda community has gained freedom, Wannila Aththo lamented. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)
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