LIFESTYLE
Dr. Lasantha Malavige
LIFE’S JOURNEY
Born in
Colombo
Alma maters
D.S. Senanayake College, University of Colombo and University of Oxford
Family
Parents (Karunasena and Yasawathi), sister (Maduwanthi), wife (Neelika), daughter (Sanui) and son (Thennuka)
Wanted to be
Someone who would make a difference to those who’re suffering
Is
A doctor and an entrepreneur
Driven by
Creating happiness
Likes to play
Cricket and squash
Prefers to watch
Music videos with my son
Most unforgettable moment
The day I received my A-Level results and found I’d been selected to enter the Medical Faculty
Best advice received
My father’s advice to me – to keep my promises… always
Mantra to relax and unwind
Jogging and reading
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
One new thing you tried last year
I learned to make cocktails and mocktails
Workout preferences
With my trainer at a spacious ground
Saddened when
A loved one falls sick
Most used phrase
‘Thank you’
Success is
Making a difference and being happy as a result of it
Impressed by
Creativity and a refined manner
Purpose in life
My purpose in life is to make a difference in people’s lives and derive satisfaction by contributing to the happiness of others
Describe your day off
Jogging on the beach, reading, and playing cricket with my son and badminton with my daughter
The place where and person with whom you feel most at home
With my family at home or spending time with my mother
Three items on your bucket list for the next six months
To go on a meditational retreat, take a trip with the whole family and redo the interior of my house
Three items on your bucket list following retirement
I haven’t thought about retirement yet
Languages you’d like to learn
Japanese, Mandarin and Hindi
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Most hated chore
Cooking
Obsessed with
Quality
Pet peeves
Imperfection, dishonesty and boasting
A moment in time to which you’d like to go back
My days in Montessori school
Hobbies
Hiking, listening to music and reading books
Three must-haves
Coffee, my phone and clean clothes
Likely retirement destination
Somewhere in the Central Province or by a beach
Challenged by
Immutable tasks
Desirable qualities in a friend
Honesty and integrity
Things you would change about yourself
I’d like to be more organised and punctual
Yourself in a few words
I derive happiness from making a difference
FAVOURITES
Days of the week
Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Colours
White, black and blue
Chill out spots
A beach, the rooftop of our house early in the morning or evening and our flower farm in Belihuloya
Food
Amma’s food – and desserts made by my son, daughter and wife
Drinks
Pineapple juice, margarita or gin and tonic
Happy place
Any place where my loved ones are
Brands
Lassana Flora, Levi’s and BMW
Places to eat at
Barracuda and The Shore By O!
TV shows
Mind Your Language, How I Met Your Mother and Friends
Books
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Blue Ocean Strategy and Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t
Actors
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson and Rowan Atkinson
Musicians
Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury and Gunadasa Kapuge
Songs
Radio Ga Ga (by Queen), Rasputin (Boney M.) and Kashmir (Led Zeppelin)
Favourite civil servant
Amara Hewamadduma – who was a Sri Lankan government agent, literary figure and historian
COMPLETE THE SENTENCE
The first thing you notice when meeting someone is…
His or her facial expressions
The first thing you need when you wake up…
Coffee
You recently laughed out loud while watching…
My dog smile
Last gift to someone…
Flowers
You find yourself challenged by…
Time
You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
I haven’t had my coffee yet
The best thing about working in your business is…
That I get to work with beautiful flowers and happy people
New technology that will transform the future includes…
AI and IoT
Sri Lanka in a few words…
A paradise that’s full of potential
Children are…
Meant to play and enjoy nature, as well as their childhood
PICK ONE
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning
A leader or follower by nature
Leader
Cook or foodie
Foodie
Quality or quantity
Quality
The glass is half full or half empty
Half full
The most delightful word you can think of
Lassana
Work or play after retirement
Work
Your most used word or phrase
‘Let’s make a difference’
Role models
My mother, Lord Buddha and Sir Richard Branson
Why?
My mother, for being selfless and giving us her unconditional love; Lord Buddha, for his compassion and teachings on the development of the mind; and Sir Richard Branson, for his crazy business style
