Rice Dishes

Rice is part of a staple diet in Sri Lanka and is grown in many parts of the country. It can come in different refinements including raw unpolished, raw polished and par boiled rice. I had the experience of watching the beating of the paddy from the straw many years ago. The paddy is sent to the mill to be cleaned or boiled and separated from the husk. It is then stored in large gunny bags. The rice harvest is celebrated in the Northern and Eastern province and is called the festival of Pongal.