Turns this way and that; eats all the coconut (Wakka Wakai Waka Devakai Watthema Pol Okkoma Kai)

Choice (Theravili)

The phrase “Turns this way and that; eats all the coconut” (“වක්ක වකයි වක දෙවකයි වත්තේම පොල් ඔක්කොම කයි” Wakka wakai Waka Devakai waththema pol okkoma kai) is actually a Sinhala choice.

The answer is: The Coconut Scraper (Coconut Grater)

Why “Turns this way and that; eats all the coconut” (Wakka wakai Waka Devakai waththema pol okkoma kai)?

• When you scrape a coconut, the blade turns one way and then the other way (“වක්ක වකයි, වක දෙවකයි”).

• No matter which way it turns, all the coconut inside gets scraped out (“වත්තේම පොල් ඔක්කොම කයි”).

What is a Coconut Scraper?

A coconut scraper is a kitchen tool used to grate the white flesh inside a coconut. Once the hard shell is broken, the scraper shaves fine pieces from the kernel, which are then used for cooking, making coconut milk, oil, or sweets.

Types of Coconut Scrapers

1. Traditional Manual Scraper (Bench Type)

   • A small metal blade with serrated teeth fixed to a wooden or metal bench.

   • The user sits on the bench, holds the half coconut, and scrapes it against the blade by hand.

   • Very common in older Sri Lankan households.

2. Rotary Hand-Crank Scraper

   • Has a rotating serrated disk operated by a hand crank.

   • The coconut half is pressed against the spinning blade to grate quickly.

   • Easier than the bench type, but still manual.

3. Electric Coconut Scraper

   • Modern version powered by electricity.

   • A rotating blade scrapes the coconut flesh rapidly when pressed against it.

   • Saves time, especially in restaurants and large households.

How It Works

• The coconut is broken into halves.

• Each half is held firmly against the blade (manual or electric).

• By scraping or rotating, the white kernel gets grated into fine shavings.

• The grated coconut is then used directly in curries, sambols (like pol sambol), or squeezed with water to extract coconut milk

Cultural Significance

• In Sri Lanka, the coconut scraper is as common as a knife or spoon in the kitchen.

• Coconut is part of almost every meal — for example:

  • Pol sambol (coconut with chili, onion, lime).

  • Coconut milk curries.

  • Sweetmeats like kokis or aluwa.

• Because of this, the scraper is considered a must-have tool.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Fresh coconut taste.

• Essential for authentic Sri Lankan cooking.

• Simple and durable.

Cons:

• Manual scrapers need effort.

• Can be dangerous if fingers slip.

• Electric ones are expensive compared to manual scrapers.

The coconut scraper is an everyday kitchen tool, deeply tied to Sri Lankan cooking traditions — so much so that riddles and proverbs (like the one you shared) are made about it.