LNP – Sri Lankan Kottu, Vatalappam added to Oxford English Dictionary

Sri Lanka’s rich culinary and cultural heritage has received global recognition as several locally popular words have been officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in its June 2025 update.

Among the new entries is the word “asweddumize”, a term long associated with Sri Lanka’s agricultural and land reform history. First recorded in 1857, it was formally accepted into the dictionary after persistent efforts by local scholars and historians.

In addition to “asweddumize”, several beloved Sri Lankan dishes and cultural expressions have earned a place in the prestigious dictionary. These include “kottu roti”, the famed street food made of chopped flatbread, and “vatalappam”, a traditional spiced coconut custard dessert.

Other words added to the dictionary are “mellum” (a leafy vegetable dish), “kiribath” (milk rice), “avurudu” (Sinhala and Tamil New Year), “baila” (a lively music genre), and “papare” (brass band music popular at public gatherings and sporting events).

The latest update reflects the growing global awareness and appreciation of Sri Lanka’s distinctive language, cuisine, and cultural practices.