News
Ikebana Exhibition to celebrate 80th birthday of Mrs. Nobuko Munidasa
In celebration of Mrs. Nobuko Munidasa’s 80th birthday, a special Ikebana Exhibition will be held at The Mall at Port City foyer on August 13. Open to the public from 10AM to 8PM, with no tickets required, the exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the lifelong journey of a Master in one of Japan’s most revered art forms, a news release from the organizers said.
Mrs. Nobuko is the mother of chef Dharshan Munidasa, founder of Nihonbashi and Ministry of Crab which now boasts presence in many countries abroad.
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is a philosophical practice rooted in balance, line, and space. Far beyond simple floral decoration, it is an art that reflects mindfulness and harmony with nature. Mrs. Munidasa began studying Ikebana at the age of 12, and by 19, she was awarded the prestigious title of Master in the Ohara School of Ikebana, one of Japan’s most innovative and globally recognized schools.
Having moved to Sri Lanka in the early 1980s, Mrs. Munidasa began introducing the island to the elegance of Ikebana through exhibitions and personal instruction. Her influence was not only artistic but cultural as she played a vital role in cultivating a bridge between Japan and Sri Lanka. The grace and precision of Ikebana have since become embedded in her family’s broader cultural expression.
This influence would ultimately extend to the culinary world through her son, Chef Dharshan Munidasa, who credits his Japanese heritage as foundational to the creation of Nihonbashi, one of Sri Lanka’s most celebrated Japanese restaurants. Nihonbashi, named after “Japan Bridge,” embodies the very ethos of cultural connection that Mrs. Munidasa has long championed.
“The upcoming exhibition not only honours Mrs. Nobuko’s 80th birthday but also pays tribute to a legacy that quietly, but powerfully, shaped one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic cross-cultural institutions,” the release said.
Latest News
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.
Latest News
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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