the gift of the gods

Sri Lankans say the coconut palm is a gift of the gods, and every bit of the coconut palm tree plays an important role in their daily lives. Coconuts are a national delicacy in Sri Lanka. Coconut water, especially from the King Coconut, is the perfect drink in the heat of the day, while coconut milk or cream, coconut oil and coconut flesh are used throughout the island’s cuisine in everything from curries to sweets. Once the liquids are extracted from coconut flesh, the refuse is used in animal feed.

Coconut has other uses. Coconut leaves are used to make thatched roofs and the trunks are used in constructing houses. Coir, used for mats and ropes, is made of coconut husks and the hard shell is used to make bowls, spoons and ornaments. Even the tree’s trunk is used as a giant mortar while the thinner part of the trunk is used as the pestle.