Abstract:
Climate change as a 'hunger-risk multiplier' is a significant factor of food security. One could think that the
vedda people never experienced food problems or food insecurity. Therefore, the present study was
carried out to find out the food security among Sri Lankan indigenous people living in Dambana and
Hennanigala. Structured interviews and focused group discussions were used to collect primary data
along with literature survey. Google satellite images, Arc GIS software and MS excel were used to perform
*rpping and data analysis, respeitively. The scattered traditional life style of veddas has created the path
of iood insecurity. Hennanigala has become more vulnerable for food insecurity than Dambana' The
resettlement program has negatively affected for the second and third generations making them exposed
to food insecurity due to their unawareness to adapt the agrarian economy in resettled area. Various
socio-economic factors and government legislations have also created barriers to their traditional life style. Shifting cultivation was identified as the main source of foods in Dambana where the food security
was rather higher than Hennanigala. Three to two meals per day could be identified which was about B6%o
among Dambina vedda and this pattern of consumption have been limited mostly among children. Food
availJility, forms of obtaining food, food accessibility, food consumptions, food stability have been
significantly changed making food insecurity among veddda people. Therefore, strategic plans, awareness
piog.r-, and livelihood approach were identiliecl as tools to enhance living standard of vedda in
Dambana and Hennanigala.
