LIFE
Dilith Jayaweera
In conversation with Lashani Ramanayake
Family members
My wife, parents and three brothers – a huge extended family where each member is valuable and dear to me
Alma mater
St. Aloysius’ College (Galle)
Wanted to be
A civic activist
Is
A local entrepreneur – with my patriotic beliefs, I’ve always felt that I could create wealth and value by being innovative
Yourself in a few words
Simple and uncomplicated
Most used word or phrase
Can I call you back?
The most delightful word you can think of
Happiness
Three hobbies
Loving, laughing and living
Three must-haves
Happiness, happiness, happiness…
Favourite day of the week
I’m a positive thinker so every day holds a new promise
Obsessed with
People
Three peeves
All of them entail interacting with, engaging and helping people
The glass is half full or half empty
Depends on the angle and purpose with which you look at it
Mantra to unwind
Live in the moment
Favourite local destination
My hometown Galle
Favourite overseas destination
All destinations outside Sri Lanka are the same – good to visit but never to stay
Quality or quantity
Depends on the context
Favourite chill out
Give me a tree, a peaceful setting and good company… and I can chill easily
Ideal outing
Staying home with family and friends – and serving them a meal that I have cooked spontaneously
Happy place
My mind
Favourite colour
White – because it symbolises simplicity while creating space for expression
Likes to play
Badminton, cricket and chess
Likes to watch
News, current affairs and classical Sinhala-language movies
Cook or foodie
I love to cook and dish out food for friends – it’s an awesome hobby to create recipes on the go
Favourite drink
Anything alcoholic
Three items on the bucket list for the next six months
Launch our company’s daily newspaper, build our first school and celebrate the upcoming graduation of my nephew with the family
Three items on the bucket list following retirement
I will never retire!
Favourite song
Rathna Deepa Janma Bhoomi (by Sri Lankabhimanya Pandit W. D. Amaradeva)
Favourite movie
Rekava – Sri Lankabhimanya Dr. Lester James Peries transformed our lives as well as cinema in this country through this movie
Best actor
Gamini Fonseka
Best singer
Sunil Santha
Favourite author
Karl Marx – for authoring his game changing book Das Kapital
Favourite local sportsperson
Mahela Jayawardene – for being an outstanding global local; his humility and gentle demeanour are admirable
Favourite international sportsperson
Sachin Tendulkar – for his class and consistency
Favourite local civil servant
Gotabaya Rajapaksa – for his courage, honesty and commitment
Favourite international civil servant
Shivshankar Menon – a former Foreign Secretary and National Security Advisor of India – for his dedication to bringing India to the forefront of the global platform
When I dance, I look like…
A puppet!
The first thing you notice in a first encounter with someone
Their eyes – they’re the window to who they are
Most hated chore
Shaving
Success is
Relative
Impressed by
Goodness
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning
Challenged by
Myself
Recently laughed out loud when
I saw the million jokes on the state of the nation
Saddened when
My trust is broken
Workout routine
Cardio and weight training
Last thing liked on social media
A video about Dr. Dinesh Palipana
Transformational technology of the future
5G
Colombo in a few words
A dream city in the hands of able leadership and administration
Sri Lanka in a few words
A treasure to be unearthed
Role model
Lord Buddha
Purpose in life
Happiness
Motto in life
Happiness is everything
The world in a few words
Ours to conquer
