The long-fought, horrific Sri Lankan Civil War ended less than a decade ago. In this episode of CNN’s Parts Unknown, Bourdain travels to Sri Lanka’s capital and the historic home of the nation’s Tamils, Jaffna, in an attempt to understand how people there reckon with the legacy of the conflagrations that pitted the government against Tamil fighters. He bears witness to how memories of carnage have infused the nation’s arts and cuisine. From the bustling streets of Colombo, on a long trek to the north, Bourdain ends up at the starkly populated site of much of the enormous bloodshed and suffering that struck fear into Sri Lankan hearts for more than two decades.
Sri Lanka
9 Places
The long-fought, horrific Sri Lankan Civil War ended less than a decade ago. In this episode of CNN’s Parts Unknown, Bourdain travels to Sri Lanka’s capital and the historic home of the nation’s Tamils, Jaffna, in an attempt to understand how people there reckon with the legacy of the conflagrations that pitted the government against Tamil fighters. He bears witness to how memories of carnage have infused the nation’s arts and cuisine. From the bustling streets of Colombo, on a long trek to the north, Bourdain ends up at the starkly populated site of much of the enormous bloodshed and suffering that struck fear into Sri Lankan hearts for more than two decades.
Galle Face Hotel
Hotel
Bourdain had: drinks. Drinks date: Tracy Holsinger, founding artistic director of the Mind Adventures Theatre Company.
Nana's
Permanently closed
Bourdain had: Assorted seafood dishes, beer. Lunch date: Dharshan Munidasa, Sri Lankan television personality and the chef behind popular restaurants like Ministry of Crab.
Galle Face Green
City park
"This is our Central Park," Dharshan Munidasa says (a chef and TV personality). Tony and Dharshan had street food here.
Nelum Kole Restaurant
Sri Lankan restaurant
Tony had lunch at this local rice and curry joint with Kumar Lopez, CEO of Sri Lanka Press Institute, a news trade organization. They had chicken curry, spicy potatoes, beets, and rice.
Jaffna Railway Station
Train station
Tony got off the train here in Jaffna, a coastal city "as far North as you can go before you hit India."
Kali Kovil
Hindu temple
Tony visited during the Madai Festival for the Tamil people who are praying to Kali, a Hindu goddess.
U.S. Restaurant
Restaurant
Tony ate with Dr. Ravi Perumalpillai, his sister Jeeva Perumalpillai, and Punitham “aunty” Selvadura. The aunty made crab curry.
Jaffna Beach
Tourist attraction
Tony’s last meal in Sri Lanka is with local fishermen. They had grouper and squid with beer.
