Oxford English Dictionary adds Sri Lankan words in June 2025 update

Friday, 27 June 2025 02:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Oxford English Dictionary has included a number of uniquely Sri Lankan words in its June 2025 update, a significant milestone in the global recognition of the country’s diverse traditions, cuisine, and culture.

Among the newly added entries are popular culinary terms such as Kottu Roti (chopped flatbread stir-fried with vegetables, meat, and spices), Kiribath (coconut milk rice served during celebrations), Watalappam (a spiced coconut custard dessert popular among the Muslim community), and Mallung (lightly cooked greens mixed with grated coconut and spices).

The update also includes cultural and musical terms like Baila (an upbeat music genre with Portuguese roots) and Papare (a form of brass band music commonly heard at sports events).

Words tied to heritage such as Avurudu (the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrated in April), Walawwa (a traditional manor house), Osari (a uniquely Sinhalese style of sari), and Asweddumize (to prepare land for paddy cultivation) are also now part of the prestigious dictionary.

These additions reflect Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

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