‘Hela Bojun Hal’, local food collection under one roof

Wednesday, 22 April 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Hela Bojun opening at KCC

Hela Bojun opening in Anuradhapura By Waruni Paranagamage The Ministry of Agriculture recently initiated food stalls called ‘Hela Bojun Hal’ islandwide to promote local food among people to create a healthier generation. The concept helps people gain access to clean, nutritious and safe local food at a reasonable price. ‘Hela Bojun’ offers an experience of hot and instant local food and local nutritious beverages. ‘Hela Bojun’ serves hoppers, uduwal, undu wade, soy products, manioc products and many other traditional foods and standard Avurudu fare. Local mushroom soup and several other beverages made using local seeds are also available. Minister of Irrigation and Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake, opening a stall in Dambulla, said that the program would enhance the economy of village women by spreading their food across the country.

“We have an increasing demand for local food both from tourists and Sri Lankans. We will be able to supply the demand at ‘Hela Bojun’ stalls by getting the support of village women.” The ‘Hela Bojun’ stalls are now available in Kandy, Kundasale, Pelwehera, Dambulla and Anuradhapura. It is also set to open stalls in Battaramulla, Pinnawala, Galle and Bata-atha. The Minister said that the stalls in the Anuradhapura and Dambulla districts in particular were targeting tourist and pilgrims. He further asserted that ‘Hela Bojun’ is free of wheat flour products but provides a combination of tasty and nutritious products made using local paddy varieties and seeds.

The ‘Hela Bojun’ concept has been expanded by the ministry through the addition of seeds units, fruits and vegetable plant units at the stalls to distribute qualitative agricultural plants. A leisure park, vehicle park and plant selling area are now available at Pelwehera ‘Hela Bojun’ Centre. The shoppers can experience the taste of food while relaxing with family members. The ‘Hela Bojun’ concept was the brainchild of Rohan Wijekoon, the Director General of the Agriculture Department in Peradeniya.