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John Keells Leisure Industry Group President Krishan Balendra, Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga, Cinnamon Grand General Manager Rohan Karr and Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Paddy Withana at the launch
Premier five-star city hotel Cinnamon Grand unfolded a truly authentic Jaffna experience with the launch of the much-awaited Jaffna Festival yesterday at the hotel’s completely transformed Village in the City.
The event was inaugurated by Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga in the presence of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Paddy Withana, John Keells Leisure Industry Group President Krishan Balendra and Cinnamon Grand General Manager Rohan Karr.
The one-of-a-kind event is a culmination of the intrinsic food, art, music and entertainment which is part of the rich culture and heritage of Yalpanam.
The 11-day festival is open for dinner on weekdays and for both lunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays and is priced at Rs. 2,600 nett.
A debut initiative to give metropolitans, diaspora and tourists a slice of Jaffna right here in the city of Colombo, the hotel has brought down five ladies excelling in Yal food to prepare over 70 authentic Jaffna dishes using produce sourced daily from the farms and markets of the district.
They have also provided space for five ladies of Jaffna Palmyrah Handicraft (Guarantee) Ltd. Company and more from Pungudutivu Food Manufactures, all from the island of Punguduthivu, to sell their palmyrah handicrafts consisting of bags, baskets, etc. and home-made spices respectively at the festival. All proceeds will go directly to these small-scale businesses to support the livelihood of women who are working tirelessly to support their families.
Creating more opportunities for Jaffna folk to showcase their talents, the Cultural Show which is part of the daily buffet experience will feature two groups of artists from Yalpanam. Eight dances, part of ‘Nakkappu Gramiya Kalai Kulu’, will perform various acts of Nattu Koothu including Keelu Kudure, bommalattam and mayilattam, while two from a dance academy in the district will wow diners with the classical Bharatanatyam.
A village shop is also part of the festival set-up, housing famous Jaffna food items such as kottakilangu, palm jaggery, homemade grape wine among more than 80 items that will be sold by the Palmyrah Development Board. Sweets and other titbits from Kamal Sweet Centre Jaffna will also be featured. The Exclusive Electronic Media Sponsors are Shakthi TV, Shakthi FM, Sirasa FM, Y FM and Legends FM. The Cultural Partners of the event are Pungudutivu Food Manufactures (PFM), Jaffna Palmyrah Handicraft (Guarantee) Ltd. Company and Katpaham, part of the Palmyrah Development Board.
Pix By Krishan Ranasinghe
