Lanka’s Vedda tribe linked to ethnic Indians: CCMB study - The Times of India

Hyderabad: The city-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology along with Sri Lanka-based Columbo University said Vedda, the hunting tribe from Sri Lanka, was genetically linked to ethnic Indians.In a landmark study published recently in ‘Mitochondrion’ journal, 10 researchers from five institutions spoke about findings on the genetic history of Vedda population, an indigenous group of Lanka. Key findings from the research indicate that despite the lack of close linguistic similarities, the Vedda people shared a significant genetic link with ethnic populations in India. 109445367 Veddas were traditionally forest dwellers who hunted and lived in close-knit groups in caves in the dense forests of Lanka. The study, which involved a comprehensive analysis of high-resolution autosomal and mitochondrial genomes, sheds new light on Lanka’s early populations and ancient genetic ties between the Vedda and other populations in Asia.K Thangaraj, one of the study’s senior authors and JC Bose Fellow at the CSIR-CCMB, said: “Veddas, who are among the least studied indigenous populations in Lanka, have for long intrigued scientists and historians due to their unique linguistic and cultural characteristics. This study unravels the mysteries of their genetic origins and affinities with Indian populations.”Lead author Ruwandi Ranasingh of Colombo University said: “Maternal DNA analysis supports the existence of an ancient link, reinforcing the notion of a shared genetic heritage. Vedda population underwent genetic drift and a recent bottleneck, resulting in a unique genetic makeup with limited gene flow from neighbouring Sinhalese and Lankan Tamil populations.”Anjana Welikala, first author of the study, said this discovery challenges the conventional isolation-by-distance model and underscores the distinct demographic history of Veddas. The researchers said the implications of the research were vast, offering novel perspectives on the demographic history of not only Lanka but also the broader South Asian region. They said the study underscores the complex mosaic of human migration and genetic diversity in South Asia, revealing how the Veddas have preserved their genetic identity over millennia despite massive cultural and linguistic changes.We also published the following articles recently8 of family with rare genetic disorder in Rajasthan vote from homeBhanwar Lal's family in Sarothiya village, Churu, faced a genetic disorder leading to disabilities, casting their votes through the home voting system. The entire family, including five sons and three daughters, were included in the home voters' list.10928012117% of world's elderly population will be in India by 2050: CBREBy 2050, India anticipates accommodating 17% of the world's elderly, with a 254% surge in the senior population. The country's senior care sector shows potential for substantial growth and innovation to meet evolving demands.109379620Bharti Airtel, Dialog and Axiata Group sign definitive agreement to merge operations in Sri LankaDialog, Axiata Group, and Bharti Airtel join forces as Dialog acquires Airtel Lanka. The deal, pending approvals, emphasizes technology synergies, market growth, and enhanced customer services in Sri Lanka, showcasing a strategic move for telecommunications advancement.109406922