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The Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka hosted the inaugural “Sri Lanka Food Festival 2026” from April 24 to 26 at Green Meadows Resort in Chennai, India.
Organized under the initiative of Sri Lanka’s Deputy High Commissioner, Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, the festival aimed to present the country’s rich and “diverse culinary heritage,” offering attendees an authentic experience of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.
The event was held in collaboration with several partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka; the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau; Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo; the Ministry of External Affairs of India; India Tourism, Government of India; the Tourism Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu; Dwarka Productions Chennai; and Tarlton Tea.
According to the Deputy High Commission, the festival sought to “strengthen cultural ties” between Sri Lanka and South India while promoting “tourism, trade, and people-to-people connections” through a shared appreciation of culinary traditions.
Speaking to South Asian Herald, Dr. Geathiswaran said, “It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that the first-ever Sri Lanka Food Festival 2026 has concluded successfully here in Chennai. What began as an initiative to share the authentic tastes of our island home quickly grew into a vibrant bridge between our people.”
He noted that more than 700 guests, including diplomats, artists, business leaders, Rotarians, and families, attended the festival over three days, to experience Sri Lanka’s culinary heritage. Their presence according to him underscored the “deep and enduring cultural connection” between Sri Lanka and South India.
Highlighting the broader impact of the event, Dr. Geathiswaran said, “I am especially heartened by the spirit of friendship this festival has inspired,” adding that the Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal’s announcement to donate an ambulance and renovate 30 schools in Sri Lanka is a “shining example” of how “shared meals” can lead to “shared goodwill” in healthcare and education.
“This festival has proven that food is not just nourishment it is a language of friendship,” he added. “We look forward to many more such initiatives to promote tourism, trade, and people to people ties between Sri Lanka and southern India.”
Notable attendees included Founder, Chairman and Chancellor of Vels University, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, who was the Chief Guest; District Governor of Rotary District 3234, Suresh Jain; President of the Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal, Navin Gupta; Blaze Kannan of Dwarka Productions; General Manager of Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Nazoomi Azhar; and Sri Lankan actor Kalana Gunasekara.
The festival featured authentic dishes prepared by an expert culinary team from Cinnamon Grand, Colombo, as well as traditional performances by the Sri Lanka Police dance troupe.
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