In a bold declaration that places food at the center of Sri Lanka’s tourism future, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that cuisine is more than nourishment it is identity, memory, and an untapped economic powerhouse.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the grand opening of the Culinary Art Food Expo 2025 (CAFE) at the BMICH on June 13, the Prime Minister told a packed audience of hospitality professionals and food lovers that the country must rethink how it presents itself to the world.
“In a world where tourists are no longer just looking for places to visit but unforgettable experiences to feel and taste, Sri Lanka must rise as a destination not only of natural beauty but of culinary brilliance,” she declared.
Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized that food is an expression of who we are as a people our culture, history, diversity, and dreams. “It is never just about hunger. It’s about heritage. It’s about stories passed from one generation to another. It’s about the right to remember and to belong.”
The Culinary Art Food Expo, a flagship event organized by the Chefs’ Guild of Sri Lanka, has grown into one of South Asia’s leading culinary and hospitality showcases. This year’s edition is being hailed as a milestone gathering of professionals and amateurs alike, offering a platform for competition, learning, collaboration, and cultural fusion.
“CAFE is not just a trade event it is a celebration of creativity and a crucible for international collaboration,” the Prime Minister said. “Our chefs are ambassadors. Every dish they craft is a handshake extended to the world.”
She noted how platforms like this create bonds among local chefs, home cooks, and international culinary leaders, allowing a global audience to taste Sri Lanka’s evolving story on a plate.
The event drew an impressive lineup, including culinary legend Chef Gerard Mendis, Bernard Stephan (Chairman of Nestlé Lanka), Chandra Wickramasinghe (Chairman of CDC Events & Travels), Shiran Peiris (Chairman of House of ASRIEL), and representatives from major institutions across the food and hospitality industry. Veteran chefs and culinary innovators from multiple sectors were also in attendance.
With Sri Lanka poised to rebound in tourism, Prime Minister Amarasuriya’s passionate speech called for a gastronomic renaissance that sees food not just as sustenance, but as a magnet for global admiration and economic revival.
“The world is hungry for flavor, for authenticity, for meaning. Let us feed it with who we are,” she said to roaring applause.
