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Tai Chi ties: Chinese envoy hails deepening cultural bond with Lanka
Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said that there was a growing popularity of Tai Chi and other Chinese martial arts in Sri Lanka as a powerful symbol of the deep-rooted cultural integration and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Speaking at an event in Colombo to mark World Tai Chi Day on Saturday, the Ambassador said that cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka have a long and rich history, with Tai Chi enjoying a particularly strong following among the Lankan people.
Text of Ambassador Zhenhong’s speech: Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial arts sport that embodies the essence of the long-standing Chinese civilisation. It reflects the traditional Chinese philosophical ideas of the cycle of yin and yang and the harmony between humans and nature. Tai Chi also illustrates the Eastern philosophy of overcoming strength with gentleness and achieving harmonious coexistence.
Learning Tai Chi has become an important way to understand China and Chinese culture. Practicing Tai Chi not only strengthens the body and provides self-defene but also cultivates one’s character and nurtures the mind. Tai Chi has spread to more than 180 countries and regions so far, with more than 500 million practitioners worldwide. In 2021, Tai Chi was officially included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. Tai Chi is loved by people all over the world for its profound cultural heritage and practical flexibility.
Cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka have a long history. Our two countries have always enhanced understanding and reached consensus through exchanges. Sri Lankan people have a strong interest in Chinese culture, and Tai Chi has a broad mass base here. Every year, Sri Lanka sends professional teams to participate in international Tai Chi competitions and has won many awards. All these reflect the popularity and prevalence of Tai Chi and other Chinese martial arts in Sri Lanka, and also reflect the deep integration of Chinese and Sri Lankan cultures and the mutual understanding between the peoples.
I hope that through today’s World Tai Chi Day event, more Sri Lankan friends will join this beneficial activity for physical and mental health, further strengthening sports and cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka, and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples. I look forward to our two peoples continuing to work hand in hand to achieve common progress through mutual learning of civilizations.
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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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