Chef Dharshan Munidasa and his mother Nobuko Munidasa, Founders of Nihonbashi Restaurant, appointed the long standing General Manager Nayana Ellepola of Nihonbashi to the post of Managing Director.
With over 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Ellepola joined Nihonbashi in 1996, just six months after the restaurant opening in June 1995. Over the course of Nihonbashi’s 22-year existence, he has been the steady hand behind-the-scenes, which enabled Munidasa to spread Japanese culinary culture in Sri Lanka.
In his new position, Ellepola will administer the strategic direction of Nihonbashi, Café Nihonbashi and Alexandra & Ward, while continuing to oversee and manage operations at The Tuna and The Crab – Galle Fort, which is managed by Nihonbashi. Together with Dharshan, he will also explore new opportunities available for Nihonbashi Restaurants.
Ellepola said, “We have gone through many ups and downs over the last 22 years together, which has taught us numerous lessons. I hope to use these experiences in my new role as Managing Director to help Dharshan take forward his vision of expanding, developing Nihonbashi both locally and internationally.”
Commenting on the appointment Dharshan Munidasa added, “Nayana has been a pillar of Nihonbashi over the past 22 years and I believe that he will continue to strengthen Nihonbashi in his new role, as we move from being a unique concept restaurant operator to a multi-faceted restaurant operator.”
