Sri Lankan restaurant Copper Ceylon in Bromley won the Best Restaurant award in the London Suburb category at Monday’s British Curry Awards.

It also became the first Sri Lankan restaurant to win an award in the ceremony’s history.

Copper Ceylon owner Haran Thurairajah has gloated about how proud he is of his team and about making history.

Haran said: “We were surprised by the size and scale of it, we were short listed for the Best Restaurant London Suburbs and we were thrilled to win it.

“What an amazing night we had at the Curry Oscar’s, it was our first time, and we were excited to have been shortlisted.

“We were happy to represent and champion Bromley and Sri Lanka at the award ceremony.

“We are incredibly proud of my team in achieving this in such a short period of time.

“Also proud to say we were the first ever Sri Lankan restaurant to win any awards at the British curry award and we made history.”

The ceremony took place in Battersea on November 28, 2022, and was attended by shortlisted restaurants from across the country.

The restaurant was also up against another a further 62 restaurants in line for this award.

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The restaurant brings both fun and authentic Sri Lankan cuisine to its diners alongside a menu of cocktails.

It has opening hours on Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 2pm and offers a DJ and a line-up of entertainers from belly dancers to fire eaters.

Haran added: “This award has given us the boost needed to take Copper Ceylon to another level.

“We have had a tough time last two years due to Covid and now the increase in energy costs.

“But this award will help us attract more new customers and to grow.”

The awards were sponsored by Just Eat and attended by a line-up of celebrities including former England player David Seaman and former English international cricketer Phil Tuffnell.

Head of UK Account Management at Just Eat, Stuart Herrington said: “Awards like this rightly shine the spotlight on the hard-working people behind the restaurants and takeaways that are making an invaluable contribution to their local community and the UK economy.”

The event also paid tribute to the late British Curry Awards Founder, Enam Ali and his son and now director of the awards delivered a touching speech on his late father.

Director of the British Curry Awards, Jeffrey Ali said: “His dedication for all of us was something for me to behold.

“We are privileged to be benefiting from his life's work today and beyond.

“As the natural custodians of this platform, my family and I bear the weight of the curry industry's plight.

“And I take this opportunity to reassure everyone how sincerely we take the gravity of this responsibility.

“We will always ensure to present a united voice for the British curry industry.”

The event also featured a brief appearance from UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who delivered a video speech to the finalists at the awards.

In his video PM Rishi Sunak said: “The thing I've learnt about being Prime Minister is that the best training I ever had was working in a curry house.

“I know how hard every one of you works from the chefs to the waiters to the restaurant managers and the delivery drivers.

“And that experience gave me a huge appreciation of business, of the importance of treating people fairly and the value of this most iconic of British Asian industries.

“So I'm delighted to be supporting Britain's ‘Curry Oscars’.

“I want to thank all of you for everything you do to fill our high streets and our homes with some of the best curry in the world.”

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