Rathugala is one of the traditional homelands of Sri Lanka’s indigenous Vedda people.

The Vedda people are primarily inhabiting the eastern and southeastern parts of the island. Groups ancestral to the modern Veddas were probably the earliest inhabitants of Sri Lanka. Their arrival is dated tentatively to about 40,000–35,000 years ago. They are recognized as one of the few remaining communities of descendants of the island's original inhabitants.

The Veddas have a distinct language, Vedda, which is classified as a creole. Their traditional way of life was centered around hunting and gathering, though over time, they have integrated with the broader Sri Lankan society, adopting some aspects of agriculture and other practices.

At Rathugala tourists can experience the Vadda tradition and indigenous way of life with hands on experience.