44. 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

June 26, 2025

𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

If you’re a traveler who loves culture, language, and delicious food — this is for you !

Today, I’m excited to share some great news — did you know that several Sri Lankan words were officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in June 2025? That’s right! Words we use every day here — from our kitchens to our festivals — are now recognized worldwide. It’s a proud moment for Sri Lanka’s language and culture!

Let’s start with the food, because, let’s be honest, that’s often the first thing we fall in love with in Sri Lanka.

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𝐊𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐮 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐢

that beloved street food made by chopping flatbread and stir-frying it with vegetables, egg, and meat — is now part of the English lexicon! If you’ve ever stood by a busy Colombo street and watched the rhythmic chopping and sizzling, hearing the clatter of knives hitting the hot griddle like a catchy beat, you know how mesmerizing it is. Now, you’ll be excited to hear that the word kottu itself is officially in the dictionary

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𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐦

A creamy coconut custard dessert made with jaggery and aromatic spices like cardamom and nutmeg. Traditionally prepared during Muslim festivals, this dessert now wins hearts across all communities.

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𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐦

a simple, nutritious dish made from finely chopped leafy greens sautéed with coconut and spices. It’s rich in iron and vitamins, and many families prepare it fresh by plucking greens right from their garden — a true home-cooked tradition.

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𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐡

kiribath — or milk rice — much more than just food. It’s a symbol of prosperity and new beginnings. Prepared with coconut milk and rice, kiribath is served at almost every auspicious occasion — from the Sinhala and Tamil New Year to weddings, birthdays, and even as the first solid food for infants. This creamy, comforting dish represents good fortune and tradition across Sri Lanka cooked with rice and coconut milk.

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𝐀𝐯𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐮

Our Sinhala and Tamil New Year calls Avurudu— one of the most important cultural festivals. Celebrated on April 13th and 14th, it marks the end of the old year and the start of the new, with unique customs, auspicious timings called Nakath, and joyful rituals that bring families and communities together.

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𝐁𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚

Music is also a big part of our culture. Baila is fun, upbeat dance music that gets everyone moving at weddings and parties. It originated centuries ago and is now loved by many generations

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𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞

lively, energetic brass band music that comes from Tamil Hindu temple festival bands. Today, papare bands pump up the crowd at cricket matches and street parades, spreading festive energy everywhere.

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𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐰𝐚

a grand ancestral manor house — often belonging to aristocratic families or royal court members. These estates hold historical and cultural significance, and the word walawwa is now recognized globally!

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𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐲𝐚

the traditional dress worn by Sinhalese women — is elegant and unique. A wedding osariya, usually made from five to six yards of silk, is draped gracefully over the shoulder withpleats, creating a refined and beautiful look.

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𝐀𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

A uniquely Sri Lankan term that refers to the traditional method of preparing land for paddy farming. It involves natural fertilization, digging, and planting, often turning unused land into fertile fields. While English uses the word “cultivation,” aswaddumization carries with it the deep cultural and historical roots of Sri Lanka’s connection to the land — a word that truly deserves its place in the dictionary