SL:Veddahs: From frying pan to fireplace!
By Sudath Wijeratne-
Several families of the Veddah community in Dambana left their traditional habitats and settled in the Mahaweli “C” zone seeking greener pastures. Most of them settled in Henahigala south colony. However, they are facing hardships due to the change of their traditional life styles and the complexity of their needs.
The Veddah community that depended on the forest that provided them hunting grounds is compelled to earn money to make a living in their new habitat. They even resort to illegal means through craving for money. The media personnel who visit the area must pay for taking the photos of the Veddah families. Uruvarige Puncha and his wife Uruwarige Hudi who gave up their traditional livelihood of hunting took to agriculture. Puncha has a Devala where he practises black magic and poojas to invoke the blessings of the gods to save the patients possessed of devils, to supplement his family income. He said even people from Colombo and the suburbs visit his Devala seeking relief from their problems through the mystic powers of healing.
courtesy:dailymirror.lk
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