Clean the shallots, halve them, cut the chilli lengthways and chop the dates and pickled lime. Grind the ginger, garlic, chilli and mustard seeds together and add sufficient vinegar to make a thick paste. Add the paprika. Boil the remaining vinegar with the sugar and add the dates. Remove from the heat and add the shallots, ground mixture and salt and mix well. From "A taste of Sri Lanka" by Indra Jayasekera, Isbn #962 224 010 0