Multi-Talented Woman Soldier Authors Book with 54 Coconut-Related Recipes

Lance Corporal J.C.I Nishanthi of 6 (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC), a multi-talented woman soldier who has excelled in Elle, Kabbadi, Rugby, Physical Training, Cookery, Innovative Productions, etc recently released her new book, ‘Kapruken Nawathama Kema Wattoru’ (modern recipes from coconut products) with 54 recipes and entered the field of book-writing.

Lance Corporal Nishanthi joined the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force in 2008 and showed her athletic skills as a true sportswoman in Elle, Kabbadi and Rugger at Inter Unit and Regimental levels. She was posted as a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) in the Army after she successfully completed the PTI Course in 2010. Since then she has been instrumental in promoting athletic skills of all her fellow-woman soldiers in the Army and has taken to the art of cooking after she acquired the NVQ Level - IV in culinary art, which is now a qualification, equivalent to the GCE (O/L) standards.

She has also shown Colours in cooking in the ‘Derana Supa Star’ after being selected for the final round among the five contestants. She has also won several medals in cookery and innovations during the Sri Lanka Vocational Training Authority-held exhibition in 2013, Army-held cookery exhibitions in 2014, 2015, 2016 and also in several other events.

A few weeks ago, her innovative skills reached apex when she won the 1st place in the ‘Sahasak Nimewum’ national competition for innovations in the recent exhibition of the Sri Lanka New Innovators Commission. She invented an electric machine which could produce health-friendly plates and crockery using big leaves (Kolapath) of the arecanut tree, for which she has been recommended for overseas competitions in future. It was also kept on display at the BMICH mega exhibition, held in September this year.

Her latest book contains 54 completely new recipes that can be prepared using coconuts and describes how nutritious those food varieties are.

Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake on hearing of her exceptional talents and skills has instructed the SLAWC Regimental Centre to provide her with all facilities and necessary requirements as suggested by her.