Old rituals; doing it their way-By Yomal Senerath-Yapa and Sajani Ratnayake Boiling milk: One of the nine rituals associated with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.Pic by Indika Handuwala Source:Sundaytimes Avurudu has been celebrated in the island for millennia, an indigenous practice that probably harks back to yaksa and naga times. The Veddahs follow it propitiating their ne yakkas, testimony to its hoary vintage. The harvest festival, brimming with joy as the golden paddy had been reaped brings the nation together, but in recent years many have had to ‘cut corners’ given  the pressures of rising costs and the daily grind. The traditional Avurudu began with house cleaning, whitewashing, then the making of kevili. The first of the rituals was observing the new moon while the last was leaving for work. These two nekath today are mostly disregarded being impractical or –  as in the case of the first – ...

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Where Does Sri Lankan Food Come From? – By Randika Jayakody & Jerome Perera Source :  Qld Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – August 2023 The Sri Lankan diaspora is famous for its food. We often congregate around food and it is an important part of the Sri Lankan identity. So, this month we decided to briefly summarise the origins of some Lankan foods we all cherish. According to academics and chefs, the community whose culinary impact on Sri Lanka was most pronounced were the Portuguese community of Sri Lanka. Portuguese nuns immensely contributed to cooking by introducing the holy trinity of oil, onions and garlic and the “themperaadu” technique, which precedes the cooking of many dishes. Cutlets, empanadas, viticulture, the use of vinegar for cooking and preservation (Vinagre became the Sinhala word Vinaakiri). Buns, breads, baked goods such as seenakku, wiskirinja, puhul dosi, custard and cheese (still called Keju ...

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Traditional Treats at Lakpahana Source:Island Avurudu…. is there any greater excuse to titillate the taste buds than this time honoured celestial event which comes once a year. It is an occasion when family and friends get together. Observing time honoured traditions and extending great hospitality, especially the gastronomic delights at the avurudu table is something everyone looks forward to at this time of year. Lakpahana has always played a key role in helping maintain traditions. Its sweet meat counter is a hive of activity. The best of sweetmeats is prepared according to traditional methods. Lakpahana gives busy people a chance to get their Avurudu needs under one roof. It is also an opportunity to hark back to those simple days when all these traditional delicacies were made with loving care by the elders in the family. Lakpahana has for the last forty years striven to preserve the traditional aspects of ...

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