LIFESTYLE
Chethana Liyanage
In conversation with Nirmali Ameresekere
What is a typical day like for you – and do you have any specific habits or routines that help you remain productive?
It always begins with an early start!
If your career were to be turned into a movie, what would the title be? And who would you like playing you?
The title of the movie would be CHE and I’d love the opportunity to play myself!
A passion project or business idea you’d pursue if you had unlimited time and resources
Fashion designing
Music that typifies your workday
Fast-paced pop
Your go-to song or playlist to stay happy during the day
I prefer a good movie over music
The best piece of advice you’ve received
Life has endless avenues to excel in
What is your mantra to recharge when you feel overwhelmed?
Take a break and be intentional with myself
An item on your bucket list that you’d like to achieve in the next few years
I plan to work on publishing my next book
How would you spend your time if you could unplug from technology for a week?
Live among trees and streams in a quiet village
What other work do you think you would excel in – and why?
Writing – I see the world differently
A failure that turned out to be a blessing in disguise
Missing a banking job as a school leaver
And a guilty pleasure that helps you unwind after a stressful day
Scrolling through social media
A quirky habit that helps you during working hours
Drinking copious amounts of tea
Advice you’d give your younger self if you could travel back to the beginning of your career
Trust yourself and take more risks
If you could work from anywhere in the world for a month, where would you go?
A quaint little cottage in the Swiss Alps
And if you could collaborate with any person (past or present) on a project, who would it be? And what would you create?
I’d write a book with my late mother, who was an author, to empower working women
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?
The constant balancing of priorities and people
One thing you hope people will remember most about your contribution to work or society
My news anchoring
When you dance, you look like…
Water
The first thing you notice about someone
Their personality
You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
Deadlines are missed
You’re challenged by…
Being pushed beyond my comfort zone
You recently laughed out loud when…
Watching a rerun of a comedy I love
You’re saddened when…
Faced with injustice or unkindness
Love has the power to…
Heal and transform
Happiness is when…
My family is joyous and with me
Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
People collectively reject divisiveness
A message of positivity in trying times
You are stronger than you know and every small step forward is an act of courage – keep moving and be strong
Memory skills on a scale of 0-10
8.5!
When are you the most productive?
Early in the morning
Tea or coffee
Tea
Savouries or sweet dishes
Savouries
Eating outside or cooking at home
Both
The most delightful word you can think of
Hopefulness
A fictional character you would like to have as your mentor
Oshin – the main character in the Japanese drama series
Documentaries, fictional TV series or reality shows
Documentaries
Your most used word or phrase
Let’s make it happen!
Workout preferences
High intensity interval training (HIIT) and jogging
Motto in life
Learn, relearn, unlearn – and keep growing
