The Veddha are a minority group of indigenous people in danger of extinction which name means "the one who uses bows and arrows". This tribe traditionally lives for centuries by hunting and gathering in the forests of Sri Lanka.

The Veddhas were originally hunter-gatherers. They use bows and arrows to hunt, harpoons and toxic plants for fishing. They also collect wild plants, yams, honey, fruits, and nuts. Many jungle-based Veddhas farm using slash-and-burn, while communities on the east coast primarily fish. Veddhas are known for their rich meat diet that includes venison, rabbit, tortoise, tortoise, monitor lizard, wild boar and the common brown monkey. They only kill for food only and do not harm young or pregnant animals. They fish using poisons like cactus milk.