"Sri Lankans have always adapted every foreign food that was ever introduced to the island. We like to stamp our own identity on them," he said. "And we are a nation that eats with our hands, so the gritty texture of isso vade [from the lentils] is very pleasing to Sri Lankans. We also have a culture of sitting outside for early evening chats with friends and neighbours, and vade gave us something to chew on as we did so."