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The First Sri Lankans-by Randika Jayakody and Jerome Perera Source:Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – September 2021 What does it mean to be indigenous? Indigenous people are often defined as those with a pre-colonial history and who have distinct cultural, religious, linguistic, and genetic status to other populations in the country. The indigenous people of Sri Lanka are the Wanniyala-Aetto (people of the forest), commonly identified using the derogatory term, Veddhas. They are one of the oldest intact cultures in the world. The Wanniyala-Aetto live across the island, including in parts of Dambana, Rathugala and the Eastern Coast. There exists a conflict between the scientific archaeological history, and the cultural narrative. The cultural narrative based on the legend of Vijaya does not sufficiently outline the presence of indigenous people on the island and centralises Vijaya’s role in populating the island. Although Kuweni was identified, the narrative fails to ...