A journey to Rambutan Kingdom

Lt. Col. Chandana WEERAKOON

Rambutan party at the Rambutan kingdom is an exclusive event which is much unheard in the country, but for us it was a reality during the last weekend. Rambutan Kingdom is situated about 2 km away from Malwana junction.

Just passing the bridge over a branch of the Kelani River meets the entry to the Rambutan Kingdom. We passed about 1.5 km from the main road to the Rambutan Kingdom through Rambutan gardens and stopped at the steep river banks of Kelani River. Indeed it was a very beautiful place having a clear distant view of the Kelani River.The journey through the Rambutan kingdom was amazing though the road was gravel. We passed through the overhanging rambutan trees filled with red and yellow fruits. There were many people who enjoyed themselves plucking fresh maroon, red Rambutan. This kind of opportunity is very rare for most of the people in our country rather than having rambutan from a roadside vendor.

Half of the Rambutan kingdom is owned by one Lalantha Jayasinghe who belongs to a wealthy family in Malwana. He held the much awaited rambutan party for his friends, relatives and some others during the last weekend.

It was a party filled with songs, dance and various foods and drinks apart from Rambutan which was the staple food on that day! People enjoyed themselves from morning to evening consuming around hundred Rambutan per person. I too had the opportunity of eating about 100 rambutans for the first time in my life! All of us enjoyed the day happily in the company of Lalantha and his family. At the end of the day he did not forget to fill up the boots of our vehicles with fresh Rambutan.The yellow variety was famous as `Malaysian yellow' which was juicy, removable and delicious.

There were about five other varieties which were second to none. Lalantha's helpers were busy plucking fresh Rambutans for the party in baskets made out of green coconut leaves. He has made special bamboo racks to display his crop.

More than his invitees Lalantha and his extended family enjoyed this gesture which had been started by his parents and grandparents. It is a good example for others too to hold this kind of innovative and heart-filling gatherings!.