At the initiative of the Deputy High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Dr. Ganesanathan Geathiswaran, the Deputy High Commission of Sri Lanka in Chennai successfully organized the first-ever “Sri Lanka Food Festival 2026” from 24^th to 26^th April at Green Meadows Resort, Chennai.

The Festival provided a unique platform to showcase the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Sri Lanka, offering guests an authentic experience of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine.

The event was organized in collaboration with esteemed partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau; Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo; Ministry of External Affairs of India; India Tourism, the Government of India, the Tourism Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, Dwarka Productions Chennai, and Tarlton Tea.

The primary objective of the festival to further strengthen cultural ties between Sri Lanka and South India while promoting tourism, trade, and people-to-people connections through a shared appreciation of culinary heritage was successfully achieved.

The occasion was further honoured by the presence of Mr. Suresh Jain, District Governor of Rotary District 3234; Mr. Navin Gupta, President of the Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal; and the Chief Guest, Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder, Chairman and Chancellor of Vels University.

The event was also attended by Mr. Blaze Kannan of Dwarka Productions; Mr. Nazoomi Azhar, General Manager of Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo; and Sri Lankan actor Mr. Kalana Gunasekara, whose presence added further distinction to the occasion.

The festival witnessed the participation of diplomatic Corps, South Indian actors and actresses, distinguished business leaders, members of travel and tourism associations, members of Rotary Clubs, Round Table members, and members of the media fraternity, making it a prestigious and diverse gathering.

Over 700 guests attended the festival across the three days, reflecting strong interest and engagement from the local community.

In addition, the Rotary Club of Chennai Coastal announced its initiative to donate an ambulance to Sri Lanka and to renovate 30 schools across the country, further strengthening goodwill and support in the healthcare and education sectors between the two regions.

A special highlight of the festival was the participation of an expert culinary team led by distinguished chefs from Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo. Their expertise and authenticity brought the true essence of Sri Lankan gastronomy to Chennai, offering guests a memorable culinary journey with traditional flavors.

Enhancing the cultural experience, the Sri Lanka Police dance troupe presented vibrant traditional performances, providing guests with an immersive glimpse into Sri Lanka’s rich artistic heritage.

The festival also achieved excellent digital outreach, with social media coverage generating over 25,000 views within just three days, further amplifying its impact and reinforcing Sri Lanka’s image as a vibrant cultural and tourism destination.