Nayomi Chan, who brought videos from Japan, passed away during childbirth.

A piece of news that deeply shocked not only Sri Lankans living in Japan but also thousands of social media users in Sri Lanka, once again highlighting the uncertainty of life, was reported on the night of November 10th. It was the sudden demise of 'nayomichan,' or Asha nayomi Weerawardhana, a popular YouTube and TikTok creator who was living an extremely beautiful family life, eagerly awaiting the birth of her first child.

Born on June 12, 1993, nayomi was 33 years old at the time of her passing. Connecting with Sri Lankan audiences from Japan, she built her viewership through a series of extremely simple and beautiful videos free from artificial performances. Her YouTube channel had nearly fourteen thousand subscribers, her Instagram account 'nayomichan2023' had over nine thousand followers, and she also had a large TikTok audience. Her international family life with her Japanese husband, Keichan, their beloved grey cat, Haruchan, and her daily lifestyle, which blended Japanese and Sri Lankan food cultures, were loved by many.

nayomi brought to her audience not large-scale productions, but the beauty of ordinary home life. Her videos frequently featured her preparing Japanese curry, fried rice, as well as Sri Lankan curry, roti, and sambol for her husband. Sri Lankan viewers watched with great affection as Keichan nodded in enjoyment while eating the meals she lovingly prepared. Small everyday things like shopping at Costco and supermarkets, unboxing home appliances, and doing laundry and cooking with her husband shaped her videos. Additionally, she provided significant guidance to Sri Lankan students on obtaining visas for Japan, managing expenses, and balancing work and education. She also shared her travels from Tokyo to New York and beauty tips with her audience.

nayomi's educational journey, having moved from Sri Lanka to Japan and built a successful life, was also unique. She had stated that a student exchange program in Australia was a turning point in her student life. In 2022, she graduated from the Faculty of International Liberal Arts at Soka University in Japan. She listed reading books, watching Netflix series, and playing cricket as her hobbies. After graduation, she also joined Amazon in Japan for employment.

Preparations for the new member expected to join their small family were a major feature of her recent videos. The video released on November 7th, just three days before her death, showed her, pregnant, going to baby stores with Keichan, folding small pink clothes, and eagerly preparing for the new arrival. However, shattering all those hopes, the news of her death spread across social media on November 10th, bringing an unbelievable shock to her audience.

The exact cause of death has not yet been officially announced by family members or hospital authorities. Various rumors are circulating across social media. Some claim that the death was due to an allergic reaction to a vaccine or medication given close to childbirth, while others reported it as an overdose of medication. However, nayomi's sister, Ayesha Weerawardhana, posted a heartfelt message on her Facebook account stating that she was in deep sorrow and unable to respond personally at this moment, but would accurately inform everyone about what happened in the future. Therefore, none of the rumors spreading on social media have been officially confirmed to date. Information regarding nayomi's hometown or funeral arrangements has not yet been officially released by the family. nayomi, who was always smiling and as carefree as a doll, was a source of hope for thousands of Sri Lankans building a life alone in a foreign country. Her departure, just when she was about to achieve motherhood, the most precious hope in life, once again reminds us of the extreme uncertainty of life.

See memories from some of the video clips nayomi brought ›