LIFESTYLE
Deshamanya Dr. Kishu Gomes
In conversation with Ashwini Vethaka
JOURNEY OF LIFE
Born in
Matara
Alma mater
Prince of Wales’ College
Family members
My wife Shami, and our sons Kushil and Shehal
Wanted to be
An athletics coach
Is
A CEO and Managing Director
Drive
Recognition and admiration for my contribution to the economic growth of the country
Sports
Athletics (it’s my first love even today)
Moments you would like to go back to
The heyday of my athletics career
Best advice received
Deshamanya Ken Balendra once told me: “You can do better” – he was on the board of Chevron Lubricants Lanka and I was the CEO of the company
Impressed by
The creativity of the younger generation
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
Mantra to unwind
Reflect on the success achieved – and success only
Work out preferences
An evening jog and body toning at my home gym
Likes to watch
Rugby
One new thing you tried this year
Giving more of my time to those who are less privileged and in need of it
Saddened when
People misjudge me
Most unforgettable event
Falling off an ambarella tree and breaking my arm when I was seven years old
Success to you is…
When others benefit from my efforts
Purpose in life
To light up the lives of all Sri Lankans and earn more love
Items on your bucket list for the next six months
To spend more time with university students, share my knowledge with other truly Sri Lankan business entities and extend my physical fitness programme
Items on your bucket list following retirement
I will never retire but continue to inspire the general public through my digital platforms for greater productivity by sharing decades of global and local experience
Pet peeves
Lack of punctuality, being indirect and lying
Languages you’d like to learn
The two languages that I do know – Sinhala and English – are sufficient
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Most hated chore
Watering the plants on the rooftop
Hobbies
Fashion, nature and music
Three must-haves
A wristwatch, a cap and shoes
Unlikely food combination
Too many curries of any combination – a maximum of three or four curries will do
Challenged by
The multiple tasks I undertake – which limits time to rest
Desired quality in a friend
His or her time when needed
Likely retirement destination
Sri Lanka
One thing you would change about yourself
My bad temper at times when people talk nonsense
FAVOURITES
Days of the week
Monday, Friday and Saturday
Colours
Black, white and grey
Drink
King coconut water
Places to eat
Royal Colombo Golf Club, Royal Thai and Thuna Paha
Chill out spot
Royal Colombo Golf Club
TV show
Youth with Talent
Actors
Brad Pitt, Dwayne Johnson and Tom Cruise
Musicians
Michael Jackson, Sir Elton John and Richard Marx
Songs
Heal the World (by Michael Jackson), Right Here Waiting (by Richard Marx) and Candle in the Wind (by Sir Elton John)
Favourite civil servant and why
Lalith Weeratunga – because of his superior subject knowledge, approachability and efficiency
Obsessed with
Fashion
Leadership is about…
Leadership is not about being nice to people but being effective in a nice way
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
The first thing you need after waking up is…
A cup of tea
The first thing you notice when meeting someone is…
His or her attire
Recently laughed out loud when…
I laughed about the recent drama in parliament – no point complaining about it as it’ll continue to be the case as long as voters send jokers to parliament
You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
The first task doesn’t work out as planned
You find yourself challenged by…
People who lack the capacity to work
The best thing about your industry is…
Working with celebrities and beauticians
Last gift to someone…
A painting to a colleague on the occasion of a house-warming ceremony
A new technology that will transform the future is…
If seawater can be easily converted into pure drinking water
Children are…
Not concerned with traditional boundaries
Sri Lanka in a few words
Best and worst on a small extent of land
PICK ONE
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning
A leader or follower by nature
Leader
Cook or foodie
Cook
Quality or quantity
Both
The glass is half full or half empty
It doesn’t really matter – what matters is the reality not philosophies
Work or play after retirement
Work
The most delightful word you can think of
Performer
Most used words or phrases
My country is poor
Role model
I have never followed any role models – but I learn from anyone I can and continue to do so even today
Yourself in a few words
A no-nonsense leader who gets the best out of people for their own good
