Excerpt
VEDDAHS
The Veddahs (literally hunters) are the aboriginals of Sri Lanka. They survive in defiance of government attempts to assimilate them, and tourists attempts to patronize them. Their culture has been affected by the interest of tourists who sometimes turn up at their settlements in coachloads to gaze at and be photographed with near naked men armed with axes and bows. Naturally, this involves a reward of money (or even alcohol) with its corresponding effect. Instead of relying on the jungle that they once considered their home and to which access is often restricted many have become virtual performance artists to satisfy the local and foreign tourists.
There are thought to be 5,000 Veddah families, although many have become mixed through marriage with Sinhalese. While the Veddahs and their close-to-nature lifestyle may seem fascinating to us, it is probably better to leave them in peace than make a sport of visiting them.