Kandy - The Chief of the aborigines of Dambana Uruwarige Wannila Attho making the age old customary offering bees honey to the sacred Tooth Relic yesterday (12) pledged to continue with the custom till the last of the community remained. The Veddah chief was speaking after offering the pots of honey at the shrine of the sacred Tooth Relic at the inner-chambers of the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

More than three dozens of members of the Veddah clan were present at the Sri Dalada Maligawa to perform the customary rite on the first day of the Randoli Perahera.

Uruwarige Wannila Attho said that the custom would be performed at any cost and under any circumstances.

He said he and his clansmen were pleased that the necessary assistance was extended by the government sector this year.

"The Veddah chief said he was grateful to President Rajapaksa for giving a hearing to the grievances and other issues with the community.

The group of aborigines travelled to Kandy in a luxury coach provided by the state. They were to view the Kandy Esala Perahera last night before returning home today (13).