Sri Lanka joins International Food and Culture Bazaar 2026

 The ‘Bazaar’ attracted more than 3,000 visitors and featured the participation of over 45 embassies based in Brasília. Sri Lanka’s world-renowned products, rich culinary heritage vibrant tourism attractions, and unique cultural traditions were highly admired by both local and international visitors to the Sri Lankan stall

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brazil joined the International Food and Culture Bazaar organised by the Group of Spouses of Heads of Mission (GCCM) (Grupo dos Cônjuges dos Chefes de Missão), last month at the Brasilia Art Museum (Museu de Arte de Brasília - MAB), where dozens of embassies exhibited handicrafts, showcased local traditions, artistic performances, and sold typical dishes to the public and international community.

The Group of Spouses of Heads of Mission (GCCM) is a non-profit association based in Brasília, formed by Spouses of Ambassadors and Diplomats. Currently Sri Lanka is represented in the GCCM by Spouse of the Ambassador Stephen Senanayake of Sri Lanka for promoting international solidarity through the organization of cultural and diplomatic events, donating the funds raised to local charities. The group’s main focus is to support social projects and vulnerable communities in the Federal District of Brasilia.

During this years’ Bazaar, the visitors were educated that ‘Ceylon (say-lawn) tea’ is a tea produced on the island nation of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon and highlighted that Sri Lanka is small, but it has an enormous range in elevation, climate, soil type, plant variations, and weather, and therefore the flavors and character of the teas produced in Sri Lanka are vary greatly. They had the opportunity to taste and purchase authentic different varieties of Ceylon Tea from the Sri Lankan stall.

Showcasing that Sri Lanka is historically famous for its cinnamon and Sri Lankan cuisine is characterised by unique spice blends with heavy use of Sri Lankan cinnamon, evolved from the ‘true cinnamon’ tree, which is named botanically as Cinnamomum zeylanicum to reflect its Sri Lankan origins, the island’s national staple, Rice was served with Sri Lankan cuisine seasoned with Sri Lankan Cinnamon for the visitors.

The Bazaar attracted more than 3,000 visitors and featured the participation of over 45 embassies based in Brasília. Sri Lanka’s world-renowned products, rich culinary heritage vibrant tourism attractions, and unique cultural traditions were highly admired by both local and international visitors to the Sri Lankan stall. 

For the very first time, on the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day (May 30), the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brazil contributed its’ 100%, full proceeds of the Sri Lankan stall to the GCCM to support social projects and vulnerable communities in the Federal District of Brasilia. Commemorating the birth, enlightenment (Pali: Nibbāna, Sanskrit: Nirvāṇa), and passing away (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha, the Embassy premises was also decorated and lighted with the traditional Sri Lankan Vesak Lanterns. The name Vesak is derived from the Pali term vesākha or Sanskrit vaiśākha for the lunar month of Vaisakha,(May) which is considered the month of Lord Buddha’s birth.

Commemorating the birth, enlightenment (Pali: Nibbana, Sanskrit: Nirvana), and passing away (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha, the Embassy premises was also decorated and lighted with the traditional Sri Lankan Vesak Lanterns