The Karavas were the traditional fisher-folk,[REF] naval warriors[REF][REF][REF] seafaring merchants,[REF][REF][REF] coastal chieftains[REF][REF] and regional kings[REF][REF][REF][REF][REF] as well as craftsmen[REF][REF] and even some farmers of the Sri Lankan coast, including the producers of salt, which is a foundation of civilization [REF].
All major Karava settlements traditionally had service castes such as barbers, drummers, potters, dhobies, etc. settled in satellite communities around them.