Sri Lanka to Introduce Legal Identification for Indigenous Communities Under New Rights Measures
Colombo, The Gulf Observer: Sri Lanka is set to introduce legal identification for Indigenous communities as part of a new package of measures aimed at protecting their rights, culture and traditional way of life, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced on Sunday.
Addressing celebrations marking World Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2026 at the Indigenous Heritage Museum in Dambana, Prime Minister Amarasuriya said an extraordinary Gazette notification addressing several longstanding concerns of Indigenous communities had been signed under the leadership of the minister responsible for the environment.
The new measures include provisions for the registration of Indigenous communities, the issuance of legal identification documents and permission for Indigenous people to enter forests as part of their traditional daily activities, the Prime Minister said.
She expressed confidence that the measures would provide lasting solutions to longstanding issues and enable Indigenous communities to safeguard their rights and cultural heritage while continuing their traditional way of life.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also announced that the long-awaited Indigenous Peoples Bill had been submitted to the Cabinet, with discussions on the proposed legislation expected to commence this week.
She said Indigenous leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo and members of the community had held discussions with successive governments over many years in an effort to secure legislation specifically addressing the rights and interests of Indigenous people. However, the legislative process had not previously been completed.
According to the Prime Minister, the proposed Bill was referred to the Cabinet following the intervention of Minister Sunil Senevi.
The latest measures mark a significant step toward establishing a formal legal framework for recognizing Indigenous communities in Sri Lanka and protecting their cultural identity, traditional practices and access to ancestral environments.
