GROUP 10

SRI LANKA CUISINE AND TOURIST

DESTINATION
REPORTED BY

OUSSAMA ABOUBADR
&
MARVIN PABONITA
• Sri Lanka was described by Marco Polo as one of the finest islands in the world. Its history
dates back thousands of years and – despite being relatively small – it has oodles of nature
and beauty to admire. Itching to explore? For the country’s most beautiful sights, this is where
to go in Sri Lanka. Visit the well-preserved colonial city of Galle, on the southwest coast, for
a relaxing city break. This town is full of charming Dutch-era villas and seaside views, as you
can now go there with Culture Trip as part of your epic adventure in Sri Lanka . Plan to see
the Dutch-built Galle Fort – the largest remaining European-built sea fort in Asia and a World
Heritage Site. Other highlights include the natural harbour, St Mary’s Cathedral, and Galle
International Stadium, one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world.
Yala National Park: Yala national park is, on the southeast coast, is the place to see big cats in Sri Lanka. The park
is home to the highest concentration of leopards in the world, and it is also an important sanctuary for Sri Lankan
elephants and aquatic birds. Monkeys, crocodiles and other creatures also run around the grassy plains and forest
areas.

Ancient ancient Sinhalese: View fine examples of ancient Sinhalese art and architecture in the Unesco-protected
town (and former Sri Lankan capital) of Polonnaruwa. It’s home to well-preserved ruins, including the 12th-
century Gal Vihara rock temple, the ancient site known as the Quadrangle, and the Buddhist Lankatilaka temple.

Bentota: This town on the southwest coast has magnificent beaches, luxury hotels and plenty of untouched
beauty. Spend a day soaking in the sun at Bentota Beach, visit the nearby Kosgoda turtle hatchery or find peace in
the Galapatha Rajamaha Viharaya Buddhist temple. Bentota is a tourist hotspot, so you’ll also be able to get stuck
into activities such as helicopter rides and watersports.
Kandy: This large city is known as the Sacred City of Kandy for its
significance to Buddhists. Many travel to the Temple of the Tooth,
within the fourth-century royal palace complex, as it’s said to hold
Buddha’s tooth – although you can’t actually see it. Elsewhere, Kandy
is surrounded by the central highland mountains and is the place to
sample Sinhalese culture – especially if you visit during the Esala
Perahera festival in summer. It also features as one of many wonderful
destinations on 
Culture Trip’s specially curated small-group Sri Lanka tour.

Nuwara Eliya: Nuwara Eliya is a plateau town surrounded by

mountains. It is also known as Little England for its British colonial
buildings, such as the Queen’s Cottage and the General’s House. The
area holds natural beauties, too, including waterfalls, hills, tea
plantations, and Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka.
Nuwara Eliya is one of many tea plantation regions in Sri Lanka, but
regarded as the most important tea producing spot in the country.
Arugam: Arugam Bay, on the southeast coast, is a remote town that
attracts surfers from around the world. Brush up on your skills at
one of the schools, such as Pappy’s Surf School or Amigo Surf,
before heading out to the swell on Main Point. When not at the
beach, visit the historic temples or the nearby Kumana National
Park.

Dambulla: This large town is where to go in Sri Lanka to find the

largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in the country.
Covering a total area of 2,100sqm (22,604sqft), it has five cave
temples containing a huge collection of Sri Lankan Buddhist
artwork, including statues, shrines and murals. The paintings and
statues tell stories from Buddha’s life – there are also 153 Buddha
statues throughout the complex. Other statue subjects include Sri
Lankan kings, gods and goddesses.
Mirissa: Fancy hanging out in a hammock under the sun?
Make your way to the beachside village of Mirissa on the
south coast, best known for its sandy bays. The namesake
beach is particularly popular, from which you can head out
on a dolphin- and whale-watching boat trip between May
and November. Coconut Tree Hill is also a must-visit
destination to watch the sunrise.

Colombo: Kick start your Sri Lankan adventure with a few

nights in the capital. The starting point of 
Culture Trip’s epic 12-day adventure through Sri Lanka,
this west-coast metropolis has a skyline that comes alive at
night, with the 350m (1,148ft) tall Lotus Tower perhaps the
most impressive sight. Here, you can soak up sky-high
views of Beira Lake from the observation deck, while
tucking into a feast at the revolving restaurant. For natural
beauty, head to Crow Island Beach Park and
Viharamahadevi Park during the humid summer months.
• You may wonder how is it possible for such a small country to have so
many varieties of food. It’s not just the diverse flora and fauna, but
also their ethnic diversity that made Sri Lankan cuisine so unique.
Long, long ago in the 15th and 16th centuries, traders from India,
Europe, Arabia, Africa, and the Malay World came to Sri Lanka and
brought their native cuisines, different cooking styles, and techniques.
For instance, Lamprais is a Dutch-influenced dish, most of
the sweets are Portuguese-influenced, while British influences
are roasted beef and roasted chicken and there are 10 dishes
that will make you want to visit Sri Lanka. this dishes are Asmi,

• Gotu Kola Mallum Sambola, Polos, Parippu, Wambatu Moju, Fish

Ambul Thiyal, Kottu, Kukul Mas Curry, Lamprais
• And Sri Lankan Egg Hoppers
1. Asmi : Milk is added to rice flour,
which is continuously kneaded. Later,
cinnamon leaves are squeezed into a
cup of coconut milk, which is used to
make the batter. Its then deep fried in
oil and garnished with treacle syrup.

Ingredients used: rice flour,

cinnamon leaves, treacle, and coconut
milk.
2. Gotu Kola Mallum Sambola – Shredded
Greens With Coconut: This Sri Lankan cuisine
is like a healthy green salad prepared by
mixing shredded green vegetables, basic
spices available, coconut, chilli, onion, and
Umbalakada fish. Enjoy this green leafy and
spicey vegetable dish with some steaming
hot white rice in an afternoon meal.

Ingredients used: green vegetables, green

chilli, onion, coconut, and Umbalakada fish
Eaten with: rice & curry dishes
3. Polos: Spices are dry roasted, small pieces of
jackfruit are mixed with the roasted spices.
Mustard seed oil is heated in a pan, and garlic,
onion, curry leaves, lemongrass and cinnamon
are added. Then jackfruit pieces are mixed
with the gravy and coconut mix is poured. Its
then cooked for an hour.

Ingredients used: Jackfruit, cinnamon, curry

leaves, spices, garlic, lemongrass, onion,
mustard seeds, and coconut milk.
Eaten with: Rice and Parippu
4. Parippu: This delicious Sri Lankan cuisine is
prepared using boiled red lentils. Curry leaves,
onion, spices, and garlic are added to hot oil,
and the curry is cooked until it turns yellow.
This flavorsome and creamy daal or parippu
curry will make your simple steamed rice taste
heavenly.

Ingredients used: red and yellow lentils,

spices, onion, curry leaves, coconut milk, and
garlic.
Eaten with: rice and wambatu moju
5. Wambatu Moju: Sri lankan cuisine
is a highly flavoured side dish
prepared by cutting eggplant in
wedges and deep-frying them to give
crispy texture. Then its caramelized
with sugar, vinegar, green chillies,
red onions, and mustard seeds.

Ingredients used: eggplant, spices,

oil, vinegar, onion, green chillies, and
sugar.
Eaten with: plain rice and roasted
paan
6. Fish Ambul Thiyal : This is one of the
easiest Sri Lankan cuisine
recipes when it comes to preparation.
Fishes are cut into cubes and then
sauteed in an aromatic blend of spices.
It is then cooked until the little water is
reduced. Savor this tasty Fish Thiyal for
a burst of flavours inside your mouth.

Ingredients used: pandan leaves,

curry leaves, oil, spices, a large & firm
fish, and dried goraka.
Eaten with: roasted paan or theti paan
7. Kottu: A popular Sri Lankan cuisine,
Kottu is prepared using a flat crispy
bread called godamba roti. The roti is
deep fried and chopped, and then
vegetables and spices are added to the
mix. The preparation is served with
spicy curry sauce. Does this remind of
pasta- Make sure you taste it to know
whether it also tastes like pasta.

Ingredients used: godamba roti,

spices, and vegetables.
Eaten with: spicy curry sauce
8. Kukul Mas Curry: Spices are fried in
oil, coconut milk and tomato puree are
added. Chicken pieces are then added
to the thick gravy and stewed for a
while. It tastes best with rice and
bread. This is a popular Sri Lankan
cuisine in Colombo. Enjoy this
yummy chicken curry with plain rice
for the best taste.

Ingredients used: spices, curry

leaves, lemongrass, pandan leaves, oil,
coconut milk, and chicken.
Eaten with: plain rice or theti paan
9. Lamprais: This Sri Lankan cuisine is a
flavourful dish eaten with rice. Meat,
rice, and sambal chili sauce are
wrapped in a banana leaf packet to
steam. This process adds a special
flavor of the banana leaf to it which
increases the taste of the dish. The rice
is cooked with meat stock and then
served with the meat curry on a
banana leaf. 

Ingredients used: Oil, spices, meat,

beef/pork/lamb stock, and rice.
Eaten with: Rice
10. Sri Lankan Egg Hoppers: A
fermented concoction of rice flour,
coconut milk, and a hint of sugar is
used to make the batter. The batter
is cooked in a small wok and swirled
around to even it out. An egg is
cracked into the bowl-shaped
pancake and garnished with chilies,
lunu miris, onions, lemon juice, and
salt.

Ingredients used: egg, chillies,

lemon juice, lunumiris, oil, flour and
coconut milk for batter.
Eaten with: spicy chile sauce, dhaal
curry, and chutney