Thousands of people gathered at the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) premises in Maharagama on 11 July for the Japanese Bon Odori Festival 2026, celebrating Japanese culture, music, dance and cuisine.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinidu Saman Hennayake, Japan's Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Kamoshida Naoaki, and several other dignitaries.

The festival featured traditional Bon Odori dance performances by students from the Japanese School in Colombo, Lanka Nippon BizTech Institute (LNBTI) and the NYSC, with visitors also joining the celebrations.