Gunbandiya Ettho, the deputy leader of the Vedda community, and his family abstained from voting after being refused entry to the polling booth at Dambana Junior School.

Ettho was tu ed away by the Senior Presiding Officer due to the hand axe he carried on his shoulder, a traditional symbol of Vedda culture.

Later, community leader Uruvarigelage Vannila Ettho was permitted to enter and vote with his hand axe, followed by others in the clan, who were also allowed entry with their customary hand axes. However, Gunbandiya Ettho and his family did not retu to cast their votes.

Gunbandiya Ettho called on the gove ment to ensure that election officers in Dambana are familiar with Vedda cultural practices, emphasizing that Vedda people have the right to carry their hand axe in various official settings.