Ethnic groups in Sri Lanka

The Vedda ( ; (Vēḍar)), or Wanniyalaeto, are a minority indigenous group of people in Sri Lanka who, among other sub-communities such as Coast Veddas, Anuradhapura Veddas and Bintenne Veddas, are accorded indigenous status. The Vedda minority in Sri Lanka may become completely assimilated. Most speak Sinhala instead of their indigenous languages, which are nearing extinction. It has been hypothesized that the Vedda were probably the earliest inhabitants of Sri Lanka and have lived on the island since before the arrival of other groups from the Indian mainland.

Maldivians (, ) are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group and nation native to the Maldive Islands, constituting the Republic of Maldives and the island of Minicoy (within Lakshadweep, a union territory of India). They share a common ancestry, history, culture and language.