Sri Lanka has an amazing variety of tropical fruits and it would be a mistake to leave the island without tasting them. The island is virtually a paradise of bananas and there is a mind- boggling variety of this fruit, differing in colour, taste, size and even fragrance. There are locals who claim to be experts on bananas and would happily tell you which varieties are best for you. A variety you must try is the red sugar banana, which foreigners may find rather unusual.

Papaw or papaya is another fruit of a lovely colour which can be eaten for breakfast with a dash of lime or a pinch of sugar. It is good to drink as well, mashed into a purée. Juicy mangoes which are found in almost all areas of the country and custard apples from the upcountry have to be tried to really understand why the locals love them so much. Rambutan, mangosteen and durian are available seasonally. You can see vendors lining the roads during the 'season' for each fruit selling to passers-by. Wood-apple is a lovely fruit, which can be enjoyed even more when made into a drink. Blended with coconut milk and made in the traditional way, wood-apple juice will be a certain hit with anyone.

Jak fruit is another local favourite; this can be cooked into a delicious curry or consumed as a rich and creamy fruit with a heady smell when ripe. Breadfruit is similar and is cooked into curries or just boiled and eaten with scraped coconut and a chilli sambol.