The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, in collaboration with Fairfield by Marriott International Airport in Mumbai, organized an eight-day event, themed “Savour Sri Lanka” which took place recently at Mado Mado, the hotel’s renowned restaurant. The restaurant is popular among celebrities and bloggers in Mumbai.
The inauguration night, an exclusive affair for invitees, kicked off a series of vibrant activities, including the unveiling of the Sri Lankan Wildlife Photography Exhibition, the launch of Ceylon spices by Hari:Bol (Food for the Soul), and the commencement of the Sri Lankan Food Festival.
The evening attracted approximately 150 distinguished guests, including Consuls General from the British Deputy High Commission, Japan, China, the United States of America, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Vietnam, Belarus, Russia, Turkey, Mauritius, Chile, and Iran. Also in attendance were prominent figures from Mumbai’s senior bureaucracy, business, tourism, Bollywood industries, and leading supermarket chains.
The event commenced with the Consul General inaugurating the Sri Lankan Wildlife Photography Exhibition by a celebrated wildlife photographer and reputed tour operator Amol Hendre. Mr. Hendre is known for his work in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kenya, and Israel, and he recently held a successful exhibition in Colombo in April 2024, facilitated by the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Mumbai. .
Following the exhibition, the Consul General launched Ceylon Spices into the Indian high-end market by Hari:Bol.
The highlight of the evening was the Sri Lankan Food Festival, featuring an authentic Sri Lankan buffet prepared by Chef Dilan Almeida and Chef Ruchira Naveen, who were flown in specially from Courtyard Colombo,Sri Lanka. The live hoppers counter was particularly popular, and the spices used in the dishes were exclusively from Sri Lanka, with samples prominently displayed. Traditional dance performances by seven professional dancers from Rivega Dance Studio in Colombo, sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Bureau (SLTDB), added to the festive atmosphere.
Invitees were presented with gift bags containing a handcrafted caparisoned elephant, sponsored by SLTDB, a tea packet featuring tea from all seven regions of Sri Lanka, sponsored by the Sri Lanka Tea Board, a tourism brochure, a Sri Lankan tourism map, and the sweets, sponsored by Marriott. Additionally, Hari:Bol provided a wooden gift box containing their major products, along with samples of Ceylon Spices and Ceylon Hidden Hills Handmade Tea, which will soon be on the shelves of high-end supermarket chains in India.
The event sponsors included the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Bureau and Sri Lankan Airlines.
The food festival and cultural performances throughout the week attracted a large number of guests, including Bollywood celebrities.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Mumbai
10 July 2024
