Sri Lanka, Aug. 9 -- World Indigenous Day falls today.

The first meeting of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations held in Geneva in 1982 designated August 9 annually as the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

It is estimated that around 476 million indigenous people live across 90 countries in the world. The primary objective of dedicating this day is to protect the languages, cultures, and grassroots rights of indigenous people. Concurrent to this, various celebrations take place in different countries in the world today, and the main event in Sri Lanka is held at the Dambana indigenous village.

Speaking to Hiru News on the indigenous day celebration held today, indigenous leader Uruwarige Vannila...