We don't know anything about the Indigenous Bill.

Indigenous national leader Wanniyalaeto Wanniyalaeto of the Uruwarige clan states that he and the indigenous people have no information regarding the new bill to be presented by the government for the indigenous people, and that they should have been informed about its contents before the bill was passed in Parliament. He also mentioned that as the leader of the community, he expresses deep regret that the indigenous people were not consulted and their opinions were not sought before drafting this bill.

On Indigenous Day, the Prime Minister stated that this bill would provide solutions to the problems of the indigenous people. Commenting on these statements, Wanniyalaeto Wanniyalaeto says that he is waiting until these matters become a reality on the ground. He also points out that the promises made by the Prime Minister when she previously visited his home have not yet been fulfilled.

The indigenous leader points out that the country's existing laws and regulations must change to suit the times and needs, otherwise it will be difficult to move the country forward. He emphasizes that when formulating such laws, special consideration must be given to the nations, generations, and cultures of this country. He recalls that during the time of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, he went to Parliament and discussed the relevant issues, and that Mahaweli, Cultural, Environment, and Justice Ministries, along with the Department of Wildlife, Forest Conservation, the Attorney General's Department, and Coast Guard teams, held extensive discussions.

Wanniyalaeto Wanniyalaeto states that with the change of the government at that time, the process of amending laws stalled, and after the current government was appointed, efforts were made to inform the new ministers and MPs about it. Even when the current Prime Minister visited his home, discussions were held and some agreements were reached, but these have not yet been implemented. Meanwhile, he states that he learned from a recent letter and a phone call that a gazette notification related to the relevant bill has been prepared, and although he requested that it be sent to him to be informed about its contents before the gazette is issued, he has not yet received it.

The indigenous leader further revealed that although many things such as signing Memoranda of Understanding and issuing identity cards took place over the past period, when taken to court, it was revealed that these agreements had no legal validity. Although it was stated that there is permission to enter forests and traditionally fish, it has not been clarified which tanks are identified for this purpose, and only large reservoirs like Maduru Oya and Ulhitiya are nearby. Furthermore, there is no clarification in those agreements regarding traditional fishing methods such as using poison in pits.

Uruwarige Wanniyalaeto Wanniyalaeto points out that when drafting such laws and gazette notifications, it is essential to directly discuss with the indigenous community the impacts they face, the relief they receive, and their freedom. Otherwise, even if gazettes are prepared arbitrarily and agreements are signed, the indigenous people will ultimately remain in the same position.