Veddha community's life style will be protected - Minister

Priyanka KURUGALA

Culture and Arts Minister T B Ekanayaka assured Veddha leader Uruwarige Wannileththo that action will be taken to protect the life style of the Veddha community and solve their land, fisheries, housing, environmental and transportation problems, during a discussion held at the Ministry recently.

The Veddha leader requested the minister to take steps in protecting their language, customs and culture. The minister assured to refer their problems to relevant ministers. The minister promised to provide a Cultural Information Center, a vehicle park and adequate sanitation facilities to develop the tourism industry in their regions. Including the Dambana region around 20 villages including Vakare, Batticaloa, Henanigala, Dimbulagala, Rathugala and Pollebedda were listed. According to the Veddha leader's request, the monthly fund given by the Cultural Affairs Ministry for Veddha community's maintenance will be provided at the beginning of every month.

Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Wimal Rubasinghe, Ministry Adviser Sirinimal Lakdusinghe, Post Graduate Institute of Archaeology Prof. Gamini Adikari, Cultural Affairs Ministry Additional Secretary H D S Malkanthi were also present during the discussion.