2 weeks Ago By Thilina Walpola
The ‘Lesser-Known Foods of Sri Lanka’ campaign – an advocacy initiative launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP), together with the Ministry of Environment – recently aimed to reintroduce nutritious, underutilized traditional and heirloom food crops into the everyday diet of Sri Lankans. This campaign is supported through the Early Action Support (EAS) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which plays a critical role in accelerating Sri Lanka’s implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework by integrating biodiversity conservation into national policies and strategies. A final event to conclude the six-week-long campaign was held last week, attended by Gamini Wijesinghe, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment; Chandani Wilson, Director of Biodiversity at the Ministry of Environment; Malin Herwig, Officer-in-Charge of UNDP in Sri Lanka; Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, Representative and Country Director of WFP Sri Lanka; Dr.
Manjula Wickramasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka; and other key government officials, private sector representatives, and academic stakeholders. As part of the campaign, a digital cooking competition invited people from across the country to submit recipes using underutilized crops. The grand finale featured a live cook-off between the three finalists.
Dayathree Nayanathara Munasinghe won with Kaju Dalu Wanjanaya (Cashew Leaf Curry), while Udeshika Hansani and Panchamee Hewavissenti were named joint runners-up for their Madatiya Dalu Vanhaniya (Red Bead Leaf Curry) and Attika Vanhaniya (Curried Wild Figs), respectively. The dishes were judged by popular social media and YouTube personality Dinux Kitchen, along with campaign representatives and partners. Malin Herwig, Officer-in-Charge of UNDP in Sri Lanka, commented, “This campaign marks a crucial step toward reshaping food systems, reviving local crops, and ensuring a more nutritious, resilient future for all.
By reintroducing indigenous foods and innovative practices, it supports food security, enhances nutrition, and promotes environmental sustainability. We are grateful to all partners involved and look forward to expanding these efforts into tangible, sustainable initiatives.” Chandani Wilson, Director of Biodiversity at the Ministry of Environment said: “Sri Lanka has significant endemic biodiversity, and the loss of any species here is a loss to the entire world.
Given the limitations on expanding protected areas, community-based conservation efforts are crucial. Mainstreaming underutilized crops will help conserve a wider variety of species with food value. The Ministry of Environment is committed to supporting any program that conserves our biodiversity.
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