The Ahikuntaka
A publication documenting the lives and livelihoods of the Ahikuntaka or gypsy community in Sri Lanka. A collection of vibrant photographs and a baseline survey on the current socio economic status of the Ahikuntaka conducted by the Colombo University complement this timely publication.
A publication documenting the lives and livelihoods of the Ahikuntaka or gypsy community in Sri Lanka. A collection of vibrant photographs and a baseline survey on the current socio economic status of the Ahikuntaka conducted by the Colombo University complement this timely publication.
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www.dilmahconservation.org<br />
Dilmah Conservation deeply appreciates the contributions<br />
made by numerous individual and groups towards the<br />
successful completion of our publication Traditional<br />
Communities in Sri Lanka – <strong>The</strong> <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong>.<br />
We thank all 5 village leaders of the <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> community<br />
and their clans for the relentless support and corporation<br />
extended to Dilmah Conservation during our research and<br />
subsequent search for the roots of the <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong> community.<br />
We also thank Professor Ranjith Bandara of the University<br />
of Colombo and his research team for their untiring efforts<br />
in conducting the first socio economic survey in Kudagama<br />
covering the entire community and producing a ground<br />
breaking analysis.<br />
We appreciate with deep gratitude the contributions<br />
and logistical support given by the Divisional Secretary<br />
Ranjani Perera, Grama Niladhari N.G Senevirathne,<br />
Samurdhi Niladhari Piyal Chandrasiri and D. Nimal during<br />
research carried out and for organising of the <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong><br />
Varigasabha in Kudagama. We thank Krishantha Nandasena<br />
of Galgamuwa for giving guidance and providing insight<br />
to the Kudagama Community. We thank the former Chief<br />
Minister of the North Central Province Hon. Berty Premalal<br />
Dissanayake and Ajith Pushpalal of the Chief Minister’s office<br />
for releasing the land for the construction of the community<br />
centre and Lankathilaka Lebunahewa, Lakmal Bandara and<br />
Ananda Perera, Technical Officers of the Thambuttegama<br />
112 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Ahikuntaka</strong><br />
Dilmah Conservation
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