Sri Lankan Chetties

[1] Before 2001, they were known as the Sri Lankan Tamil ( ශ්‍රී ලංකා දෙමළ) caste, but then after 2001, they were classified as a separate ethnic group in the 2001 census.

Hetti is another term used in this context, referring to the present generation of Chetties who do not have any relation to India but are solely from Sri Lanka.

[10][11] The Chetties of Northern Sri Lanka especially in Jaffna were mainly absorbed by the Vellalar caste, although, some still remain separate.

[12] Representatives of the Colombo Chetty Association stressed out their distinctiveness, appealing for forming a separate ethnic group.

In addition, migration to Australia, England, United States of America and Canada has tended to dilute their numbers.