Sri Lanka, Aug. 9 -- The national celebration to mark the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was held this morning (09) at the Indigenous Museum premises in Dambana under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Sri Lanka's foremost indigenous leader, Vishwa Keerthi Vanaspathi Uruwarige Vannila Aththo, initiated the tradition of celebrating World Indigenous Peoples' Day in Sri Lanka following his participation in the Indigenous Summit held in Geneva in 1996. Accordingly, the first national celebration of Indigenous Peoples' Day in Sri Lanka was held in 1999 at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo.

This year's celebration, jointly organised by various public and private institutions, was marked with vibrant cul...