COLOMBO (News 1st):Today marks the International Day of the World's Indigenous PeoplesThe theme for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026 is “Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-beingAccording to the United Nations, an estimated 476 million Indigenous people live in more than 90 countries around the world,accounting for around 6.2 percent of the global population.Meanwhile, a Gazette notification containing new regulations aimed at protecting the environment and safeguarding the traditional rights of Indigenous communities in Sri Lanka is expected to be issued today.The new regulations are intended to regulate the traditional activities of indigenous communities within national parks and designated protected areas, while ensuring the protection of ecological systems.Under the current legal framework, indigenous communities face significant challenges in accessing the island’s forest reserves. The newly introduced regulations aim to address these longstanding concerns.The new regulations are expected to make it easier for traditional indigenous communities, particularly those living around the Maduru Oya and Gal Oya National Parks, to maintain their livelihoods and cultural practices without unnecessary disruption.
