Embassy, World Bank highlight authentic Lankan cuisine

Philip Fernando

Restaurants Associates (RA) at the World Bank and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington inaugurated the first day of celebrating Sri Lankan cuisine, a special country-promotion event under the Heritage Days luncheon series.

The inaugural luncheon, prepared by two leading chefs flown from Sri Lanka, Chef Gerard Mendis of Hilton, Colombo and his colleague, Chef Madhawa Weerabaddhana, featured a colourful spread of seafood, curries and vegetarian dishes laced with authentic Sri Lankan spices.

The occasion was attended by over 200 guests, including a large number of senior executives representing the World Bank, the IMF, the Office of the USTR and the US Departments of State, Commerce and Defence. Apart from, spicy entres, the luncheon also highlighted Sri Lanka as a premiere travel destination, following the New York Times recent designation of Sri Lanka as the number one place to visit in 2010.

Sri Lankan Airlines’ Senior Vice President in the US, Canada and Caribbean Dillan Ariyawansa also attended the lunch to boost travel prospects.