The Ahikuntaka

www.dilmahconservation.org
This has resulted in the gradual absorption of this community into the mainstream society and also the enhancement of their socio
economic status. As an example it is seen that a large number of graduates, teachers, journalists and social workers from the veddha
community have entered the mainstream society. In this back drop it should be emphasised that in order to bring about social
enhancement in the gypsy community the following suggestions have to be implemented without delay.
1) The development of a special programme to preserve the culture of the gypsy community that is fast disappearing and the
establishment of a community cultural centre.
2) The commencement of a suitable programme of work for those who are willing to break off from traditional occupations.
3) Enhancement of access to education and integration into the mainstream society.
4) Provision of the freedom of movement from place to place to those who want to stick to the traditional modes of occupation and
also provision of dwelling facilities to those moving to different parts of the island.
5) A planned programme to change the social attitudes of the mainstream society and stabilise the community in the mainstream
society.
6) Conservation of the disappearing cultural factors in order to acquaint the future generations with a knowledge of their cultural
traits.
7) To find solutions to the problem of water, transport and other common amenities faced by the gypsies residing as a community in
gypsy villages.
8) As available written records of their cultural inheritance is very scanty an endeavour to extract vital information from elders in their
community and to record such findings methodically.
9) To create awareness in the tourism industry of the socio-cultural and economic inheritances of this community and to exhibit these
inheritances to be used effectively and feasibly in the tourism industry.
10) It is important to establish a centre to show case the socio-cultural inheritances of this commu-nity with the patronage of state and
private organizations. This will eventually lead to the enhancement of their economic status as well as their family and social
relationships.
92 The Ahikuntaka