Justice minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe met Veddah chieftain Uruwarige Wanni yesterday (21) to discuss recently-arisen issues of the indigenous community.
The meeting at the parliamentary complex saw day-to-day and other problems of the Veddahs explained to the minister.
Chieftain Wanniya said an absence of constitutional recognition prevents them from enjoying their traditional socioeconomic, cultural, economic, civil and political rights.
Badulla, Moneragala, Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts are the home for an estimated 500,000 Veddah people.
He said a census should be conducted to ascertain the actual number of their population and a new act introduced to safeguard their rights.
Responding, minister Rajapakshe said it was improper to categorize them as a separate community and instead, a set of regulations should be in place to ensure their rights.
A committee headed by the wildlife ministry secretary has been asked to submit a draft of regulations within a fortnight, he said.
A follow-up discussion is due on 07 December.