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Roshani and Niroshani Leanage awarded the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters
The French Government recently awarded the rank of Chevalier (knight) in the order of “Arts et Lettres” to Roshani Leanage and Niroshani Leanage, two pioneering personalities in the local fashion industry.
Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Eric Laveru awarded Roshani Leanage and Niroshani Leanage with the insignia of Knight of the Orders of Arts and Letters in a ceremony held at the French Ambassador’s residence in Colombo for their constant devotion to the cause of bilateral relations between France and Sri Lanka on Jan 24. Both of them were bestowed with Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in French) in recognition of their creations in the artistic field as well as the contribution made to the influence of French culture in the world.
Speaking at the official ceremony Ambassador Lavertu said: “It is a rare privilege to be given the opportunity to include both of your names in the same speech. It is in this respect you offer me to show, by means of these awards, the appreciation of the French authorities with regard to your constant devotion to the cause of bilateral relations between France and Sri Lanka.”
Roshani Leanage is the Chairperson of Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology (LIFT) and Mod’Art International – Sri Lanka. Following her higher studies, Roshani began her career in the fashion and textiles industry in 1980 as a business partner of R.N. Garments and went on to being an entrepreneur in apparel production for exports and retail.
Niroshani Leanage is the Managing Director of LIFT and Mod’Art International – Sri Lanka. Having graduated as a fashion designer in 1999 in Bangalore India, she entered the fashion industry the following year. In 2007, she went on to pursue her MBA from the University of Northampton, UK.
At a time when Sri Lanka lacked formal fashion education institutes, Niroshani took a bold step to establish LIFT in the year 2000 with the aim of creating internationally renowned fashion entrepreneurs in the country.
In recognition of her role in the industry as well as the country, the Sri Lankan Government in 2013 conferred an award of appreciation to Niroshani, through the Sri Lanka Army “Seva Vanitha” unit.
Niroshani initiated the International Graduate Fashion Spectacle (IGFS), where Sri Lankan fashion students in collaboration with international fashion graduates are given the opportunity to showcase their collection to a broader audience, and in 2020, she became a Member of the Sri Lanka-France Business Council (SLFBC).
Today, with 20 years of experience in both fashion design education and business behind her, Niroshani has formed links and partnerships with foreign universities. This has elevated her efforts to make the LIFT as the official representative for the University of Northampton – UK, and also to develop a partnership with Mod’Art International Paris, a top Parisian school of fashion, to offer a three-year Bachelor in Fashion Design degree in Sri Lanka and the latest partnership of Ferrandi – Paris offering students to study culinary arts and hospitality management in Paris.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]
Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.
Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026
The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.
It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).
For the Land area:
DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.
Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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