rki.news
E M Akash, Special Correspondent, Doha
The three-day Sri Lankan Traditional Food Festival 2025 has officially begun in Qatar. The festival opened on Saturday under the open sky beside the swimming pool of Qatar’s Tiffin House Doha, drawing strong participation from the Sri Lankan community and guests from various nationalities.
The event was inaugurated by the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar, Mrs. Roshan Sithara Khan Azard, and hosted by senior community leader and Managing Director of Tiffin House Doha, Kumudu Fonseka. Sri Lankan artist Isani Fonseka delivered a cultural performance to mark the opening. The program was conducted by Dilshan, with overall coordination supervised by Abu Said. Senior journalist E M Akash led the Bangladesh community delegation.
In addition to Sri Lankan attendees, community leaders from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, the Philippines, France, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, and other countries were present, highlighting the festival’s multicultural spirit.
Guests enjoyed a diverse selection of Sri Lankan traditional dishes, some dating back more than two centuries. Popular offerings included rice served with fish, chicken, and lentils, along with lamprais, hoppers, kottu, roti, and idiyappam. A variety of curries made from vegetables, fruits, lentils, beef, and goat were also served, accompanied by traditional pickles, chutneys, and sambols. Visitors expressed great appreciation for the authentic flavors.
The evening concluded with a special performance by the renowned Sri Lankan band Mama Mia – The ABBA Tribute Sri Lanka, adding a festive atmosphere to the cultural celebration.