LIFESTYLE
Nishshanka De Silva
In conversation with Nirmali Ameresekere
JOURNEY OF LIFE
Your typical day
It begins with kissing my daughters, reading a chapter of a book and then focussing on the ZeroPlastic Movement
Soundtrack to your typical workday
Classical English and Sinhala music
Your go-to song or playlist to stay happy during the day
Hanthana Adawiye – by Nanda Malini
If your career were to be the subject of a movie, what would the title be?
The Power of Zeros – and I would be played by Leonardo DiCaprio
Passion project or business idea you would pursue with unlimited time and resources
Establish ZeroPlastic Movement in countries across the globe
The best advice you’ve received
We become the average of those we associate with so always strive to surround yourself with better people
Mantra to recharge when you feel overwhelmed
Stepping back, delegating tasks, and spending time with family and nature
One thing on your bucket list that you’d like to achieve in the next few years
Launching the ZeroPlastic Standard (certification) globally
How you would spend your time if you could unplug from technology for a week
I’d spend my time with books, family, nature and a few beers
What other work do you think you would excel in – and why?
With 18 years of experience in the tech industry, I would thrive as a tech entrepreneur
A failure that turned out to be a blessing in disguise
Being fired from a top software company became a blessing – it pushed me to pursue social entrepreneurship
And a guilty pleasure that helps you unwind at the end of a stressful day…
Enjoying a cold beer while listening to classical music at home (must it be of quality?)
Quirky habits that help you during working hours
Reading or watching real stories of criminology
Advice you’d give your younger self if you could travel back to the beginning of your career
Have a mentor – listen to experts and network with people early in your career
If you could work from anywhere in the world for a month, where would you go?
Anywhere with my kids around
If you could collaborate with any person (past or present) on a project, who would it be – and what would you create?
Sir Richard Branson – and we’d create a luxury ZeroPlastic resort
If your team members could switch roles with you for a day, what do you think they’d find most surprising about what you do?
Taking a two hour nap after lunch during office hours
One thing you hope people will remember most about your contribution to work or society in general
Inspiring youth to take action against environmental issues
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
When you dance, you look like…
If I dance, it’s very rare and most often happens unconsciously
The first thing you notice about someone
His or her fashion sense
You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
I wake up after a bad night’s sleep – I often feel groggy and unmotivated
Recently laughed out loud when…
My eight-year-old daughter said her best friend has three boyfriends she met at the temple!
Saddened when…
I remember my mother (she passed away following a serious illness)
Happiness is when…
I achieve a personal goal after putting in hard work
Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
Law and order is upheld effectively
PICK ONE
Memory skills on a scale of 0-10
Eight
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning
Tea or coffee
Coffee
Savoury or sweet dishes
Savoury
Eating outside or cooking at home
Cooking at home
Documentaries, fictional TV series or reality shows
Documentaries
Motto in life
Be yourself!
