Folk Games in Sri Lanka

There are very attractive games in traditional Sri Lankan culture. Most games help to improve human thinking ability, strategic methods, adherence, and teamwork. These games help to build positive relationships and the best qualities among Sri Lankan people. This game builds unity of society. Let's explore these traditional games.

Placing the Eye on the Elephant (Aliyata ehe thabeema)

Placing the Eye on the Elephant is one of the most popular outdoor games in Sri Lanka. There is a big elephant drawn on the blackboard. The competitor’s eyes are covered by cloth, so blindly, they can’t see anything through this cloth. Then the competitor gets close to the blackboard and correctly marks the eye on the elephant’s eye spot. This game is played individually, but it is a very funny game.

Game of Olinda (Olinda Keliya)

Olinda keliya is one of the most popular traditional indoor games in Sri Lanka. This game is played by two players who are seated on opposite sides of the board. Nine slots on the board hold four beads each. To play this game, use Olinda seeds (small red-colored seeds). This game involves playing one Olinda seed and moving to another empty hole. The winner select as more seeds collecting person against to opposite party. This game play in Sinhala New year duration.

Going on the swing (Onchilla Padeema)

Going on the swing is considered a very enjoyable and lovely game. There is a heavy rope being used and bound on a strong tree. This rope is decorated; some colorful flowers and natural leaves are used. It is considered a couple's game. Because young men and women play this game. That time couple singing some traditional songs. It is used to help them develop a relationship. When the boy throws this rope top into the air, his female partner has faith in him and grabs the rope firmly. It will be extremely uncomfortable to reach the top, but the experience will be enjoyable.

Game of Pancha (Pancha Keliya)

Pancha keliya is another most popular traditional indoor game in Sri Lanka. This game is played between two groups. Five little seashells and a coconut shell are used to play this game. The most important thing is that the player is skilled and precise. One player throws all five seashells into the air and tries to catch them on the back of their hand. The goal is to go through various “rounds” of increasingly difficult throws and catches. To win this game, a player should have balance and hand-eye coordination skills.

Tug of war (Kamba Adeema)

This game is an outdoor game. It uses very strong rope. This game is played between 02 teams. They are tugging the rope against the opposite side. Most strong teams win this game. Players should have a team concept; following team leaders advice, strategic playing ability, and strong playing ability are must-have factors to play this game competitively.

Healthy fruits

 

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” or so the saying goes. It explain healthy benifits of fruits.

Healthcare professionals know that fruit is a highly nutritious, delicious, and convenient addition to any diet. With more than 2,000 varieties of fruit available, you may wonder which ones you should pick.

Each type of fruit brings its own unique set of nutrients and benefits to life. The key is to eat fruits of various colors and various sizes, as each color provides a different set of healthy nutrients.

Jackfruits

Jackfruits grow in tropical countries, including Sri Lanka, India, and other South Asian countries. This fruit has a very good smell and is yellow in color. Its taste is very unique. It weighs about 5 kg–10 kg. Jackfruit outer skin is rough and green to yellowish-brown. Jackfruits have so many high nutritional values: they are high in fiber, support blood sugar regulation, and have antioxidant properties. Jackfruit timber is a very valuable tree in the market. Its furniture has a very luxurious appearance and durability.

Rambutan

Rambutan is a very famous fruit among the young and elder generations because of its very sweet taste and eye-catching look. Rambutan are small round fruits. It is covered by small red or green hair-like things. Rambutan is high in vitamin C, iron, and fiber. This fruit grows in tropical countries, especially Sri Lanka and Vietnam. This fruit grows on during July–December.

Pineapple

Pineapple is another of the most popular fruits among fruit lovers. Because its sweet and sharp taste is a very uncommon taste. It is yellow inside and smells very sweet. Pineapples have a very acidic taste. It is used for fruits and cooking purposes. Pineapple chutney is very tasty. This fruit is healthy for reducing cancer prevention and is highly nutritious; also, it helps to boost immunity. Pineapple grows in tropical countries.

Soursop

Soursop is a tropical fruit. It is a soft and creamy fruit. Soursop has a unique sweet-sour flavor. The soursop shape is oval. It's green in color. Inside it is white in color. It includes black seeds. Soursop is rich in B vitamins, C vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. It helps to boost immunity and reduce inflammation. Soursop juice is a very famous drink among the elder and young generations.

 

Camping Sites in Sri Lanka

 Gongala Mountain

Gongala Mountain is located in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. It is a popular destination for campers, hikers, and nature lovers, with the surrounding environment offering beautiful, attractive viewpoints. There are a variety of flora and fauna, and other endemic trees are visible around this environment. The name Gongala is derived from the fact that Gongala Mountain is shaped like a bull.

Madulsima Area

The Madulsima Area is located in the Uva province within the Badulla District. It’s known for its mountainous terrain and is a popular destination for camping and hiking. This area has two campaign sites. Those are Mini World's End and Cave of Madulsima. When you visit those places, you can experience a very lovely, comfortable camping experience.

Kohobagala Mountain

Kohobagala is situated in the Gampaha district near Mirigama town. It is a favorite mountain area for camping and hiking. It takes 03 hours to reach Colombo. Kohobagala is about 2,300 meters high. So it is easy to consider it the easiest climbing and camping place.

Idalgashinna campsite

Idalgashinna is a scenic village in the Haputale–Namunukula mountain range. The campsite site offers sweeping views of misty peaks, tea estates, valleys, and distant landmarks like Bambarakanda Falls and the southern coast. This area is highly favored by locals and adventurous travelers. Generally use the train to reach this site.

Best Beverages in Sri Lanka

 Ceylon Tea

Ceylon Tea is a very popular tea all over the world. It has a specific brand. Ceylon tea is considered a strong natural drink. Ceylon tea grows in special weather conditions. That weather condition and other natural environmental factors affect the quality of this tea. Especially this tea plant planting in the Uva, Kandy, Galle, and Nuwara Eliya areas. Also, Ceylon tea leaves picking, processing, packing, and every industrial step are maintained with good quality and standards according to government and international methods. Also regularly continue R&D for this tea sector. There are specific qualities you can see (physical tea leaf shape, color, and taste) in those tea plants. There are so many types of tea processing in the tea factory. (Ceylon Black Tea, Ceylon Green Tea, BOPF, Silver Tips). When you visit Sri Lanka, you should experience this tea picking and visit a tea factory.

King Coconut

The king coconut's local name is “Thambili.” It is a bright orange-colored variety of coconut. This coconut variety is unique to Sri Lanka. It is considered highly nutritious, sweet, fresh water. Especially this king coconut water preservation for some dangerous patients (cancer) as a treat. As well as this drink being considered an energy drink, it helps to maintain good condition for kidney and urinary health. This king coconut plant is growing in the Puttalama and Kurunegala areas. When you visit Sri Lanka, you can taste this natural energy drink very easily.

Ayurvedic Herbal Drink

A Sri Lankan Ayurveda herbal drink is a traditional, natural beverage made from plant roots, tree parts, flowers, and spices. Ceylon’s (Sri Lanka’s) ancient hospital and treatment system was built on this Ayurvedic medicine. These drinks are an important part of Sri Lankan culture. They are often used on the human body for their healing and cooling properties. Iramusu drink, Ranawana Tea, Belimal water, and Polpala water are considered popular Ayurvedic herbal drinks. Some Western medicines can’t treat it clearly; use these Ayurvedic herbs. If you visit Sri Lanka, don’t forget to drink this Ayurvedic drink.

Ginger Beer

Ginger beer is a good nutritional drink. It has a strong spicy taste. It is specific to Ceylon Ginger Beer. This drink is made with natural ginger and a carbonated drink. Its colors are dark brown and white. This drink helps with digestion and reduces nausea. Especially Sri Lankans use it as a soft drink and sometimes use it in cooking or baking for added zing.

Healthy Sweets

 Aasmi

Aasmi is a traditional Sri Lankan sweet delicacy, often served during special occasions such as Sinhala and Tamil New Year, weddings, or special occasions. It is known for its crunchy texture and unique flavor, which comes from a blend of rice flour and coconut milk with cinnamon or cardamom. That sweet taste is very soft.

Helapa

Helapa is a beloved part of traditional Sri Lankan village cuisine. It is nutritious, natural, and often enjoyed as a healthy snack or breakfast item. The use of kurakkan makes it rich in fiber and iron, which is especially valued in rural diets. This helapa is made by mixing Kurrakan powder and treacle. It steamed with Kanda leaves. Which gives it a distinct flavor.

Aluwa

This is a traditional Sri Lankan dessert. Generally it is used during tea time. It is made with toasted rice flour, sugar syrup, ground cashew nuts, cardamom, and cashews. The mixture is spread into pans and is then sliced, usually into diamond-shaped pieces. Aluwa is a staple dessert served on Avurudu—the Sinhalese New Year celebrated in April.

Athirasa

Athirasa is a traditional Sri Lankan sweet treat. This sweet is specially used during Sinhala and Tamil New Year, weddings, and other cultural celebrations. It’s a deep-fried, sweet rice cake made with rice flour and jaggery, offering a rich, chewy texture with a caramel flavor. This sweet is offering older Ceylon people's food style.

Bibikkan

Bibikkan is a rich, spiced coconut cake that is a beloved traditional Sri Lankan dessert. This food item is especially enjoyed during Christmas, New Year, and special occasions. It is made with grated coconut, kithul jaggery, spices, cashews, butter, and vanilla. Unlike light Western cakes, bibikkan is hearty, rustic, and very filling, often enjoyed in small portions with tea.

Kokis

Kokis is another Sri Lankan traditional food item. Its batter is made with coconut milk, eggs, and rice flour. The batter is coated around decorative molds and deep-fried in coconut oil until it develops a crispy texture. Sometimes spices mix with this batter. Kokis can be consumed as an appetizer, snack, or dessert, and it is a compulsory food item around Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.