Complaints from Wannila Aththo about racketeers who divert visitors coming to see the indigenous people by sending them on a different route

Indigenous leader Uruwarige Wannila Aththo has made a special revelation about a fraudulent group that exploits the indigenous culture, deceiving local and foreign tourists visiting the Dambana indigenous village and extorting money from them. He pointed out that these racketeers operate by targeting people who come from all over the country to see and study the village of the indigenous lineage, which boasts a long history.

It is reported that this fraudulent group stops approaching vehicles by force at the Mawarakala Aranya Senasanaya area and Dambana junction, attempting to board them. Posing as guides and interpreters, they mislead tourists under the guise of showing the way to the village, making various false statements and charging large sums of money. The indigenous leader urges the public not to be deceived by individuals attempting to forcibly board vehicles, emphasizing that with current technological advancements, routes can be found via mobile phones.

With the aim of deceiving tourists and earning money, they sell honey mixed with sugar as pure honey and make unreasonable demands for money, claiming to show indigenous dances. Wannila Aththo also recalled a recent incident where a group from the Colombo area fell victim to a fraud involving an intoxicated person introduced as "Kadira." This group also shows other individuals, claiming them to be the indigenous leader, and spreads misinformation about the indigenous museum managed by the government.

The leader emphasized that no money is charged from anyone visiting the Dambana indigenous village, and anyone is allowed to visit the village freely and respectfully. A fee of Rs. 50 from an adult and Rs. 20 from a school child is charged only for the maintenance of the museum operated within the village.

It is requested that visitors to the village who require any guidance or information should inform the staff of the indigenous museum. Uruwarige Wannila Aththo further stated that while a voluntary contribution from the village youth is accepted when cultural performances are presented for tourists, large sums of money are not forcibly charged.