Mega Culinary Exhibition of the Army Begins in N'Eliya

The first introductory exhibition of culinary skills of Army personnel 'Hela Viru Rasa Udanaya - 2014', through which attempts are made to re-introduce traditional food varieties, was declared opened at Nuwara Eliya Tuesday (15) morning as one more spectacle of the ongoing 'Wasantha Udanaya' festival in the hill country.

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army as the concept designer of this novel approach at the invitation of the chief organizer, Major General U. A. B Medawela, Commander, Security Force Commander- Central, inaugurated the mega exhibition, being attended by more than 100 chefs of the Army who were busy preparing exotic dishes, selected from different corners of the island.

Confectionaries such as Bondi Aluwa, Patta Aluwa, Patta Dodol, Kurahan Thalapa and Aanama, Kirala Drinks, etc are now fast disappearing along with many other local vegetable and sweet meat varieties. 'Hela Viru Rasa Udanaya - 2014' at Nuwara Eliya is in this way an attempt to revive these culinary habits.

The project, meant to enlighten the public on the quality and nutritional value of those foods from different corners of the island, highlight the importance of using indigenous food varieties at local level, explore possibilities for introducing those foods to new markets and showcase culinary skills of Army personnel which remained not very exposed to the general public, will continue until April 22 around the popular Gregory’s Lake.

This is a novel approach to resurrect fast dying food varieties, educate the public on use of traditional food varieties, encourage the public to analyze qualitative ingredients in such foods with the cooperation of nutritionists and cooks on hand through practical demonstrations during the New Year season.

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, well aware of myriad food varieties being prepared across the country by the troops, expects to make it an annual feature in the Army calendar during the popular April season in Nuwara Eliya. Commander of the Army also intends to popularize those dishes among the general public as well as among troops outside those regions in order to maintain high levels of health and physical fitness.

All varieties of those rare and exclusive food items, prepared then and there are sold at concessionary rates with special discounts to school students. At the venue, chefs from the Army-owned Laya Hotel Chain will add colour by preparing Chinese and Middle East dishes.

Funds generated by the project are to be utilized for the greater benefit of the soldiers and members of their families, including those who have turned disable.

44 Army music bands, including Calypso teams would provide rhythmic beats to the exhibition venue on all 7 days.

Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Commander of the Navy was also associated with the inaugural opening.