Genetic studies on the Sinhalese is part of population genetics investigating the origins of the Sinhalese population. All studies agree that there is a significant relationship between the Sinhalese and the Bengalis and Tamils, and that there is a significant genetic relationship between Sri Lankan Tamils and Sinhalese, them being closer to each other than other South Asian populations. This is also supported by a genetic distance study, which showed low differences in genetic distance between the Sinhalese and the Bengali, Tamil, and Keralite volunteers.