Yeah it's a mix of different styles!
Honestly the spices shouldn't stop you. Most of Sri Lankan are mindful to make food less spicy for foreigners so I don't think that should be a problem unless you can't handle it at all. We're on the opposite spectrum as we all love spicy food and often have to insist to get the local level of spice.
Thanks! We had more breakdowns today but all in good fun!
Ha ha, yep I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to chilli-type heat/spice. But I remember they do something similar in Thailand where they ask you if you want 'foreigner' style curry 😂
I can't remember the Thai word, it has been over 10 years since I travelled SE Asia, but I remember being laughed at (kindly) when I insisted on a red Thai curry Thai-style in Chiang mai... then turning beetroot red, sweating like I was about to have a heart attack... but I left with my head held high (there were about 5-6 small whole Thai chilis in that curry) and then running to the nearest pool hall to guzzle beer until the pain receded.
Which tells you all you need to know about my heat tolerance to spicy food 🤣