LIFESTYLE
THUSHARI PERERA
In conversation with Ashwini Vethakan
LIFE’S JOURNEY
Born in
1972
Alma mater
St. Paul’s Girls’ School (Milagiriya)
Family
Husband (Samath), daughter (Sanugi), sister (Mihiri) and mother
Wanted to be
A doctor
Is
A Chief Human Resources Officer
Likes to play
I’m not particularly into any specific sport
Prefers to watch
Any drama or movie that ends happily
Most unforgettable moment
The birth of my daughter
Best advice received
‘Be yourself and stay humble’
Mantra to relax and unwind
I enjoy listening to music while driving along empty roads
INTIMATE AND INSPIRING
One new thing you tried last year
Yoga
Workout preferences
Walking
Saddened when
People act inhumanly
Challenged when
I’m surrounded by unknown people
Most used word
Seriously
Most hated chore
Sewing
Success is
Success is doing something I love – and by doing so, creating a positive impact on the lives of others
Pet peeves
People who hurt animals
Garrulous or rude individuals
Impatient people
Impressed by
Courage and humanity
Purpose in life
Living it to the fullest
Describe your day off
I do whatever I like… and that usually includes long naps
Three items on your bucket list for the next six months
Learn to ride a bicycle
Visit India and travel from south to north by train
Pursue career goals while constantly raising the bar
Three items on your bucket list following retirement
Travel the world and explore different cultures
Enjoy free time with loved ones
Take on more charity work
One thing you wish to change about yourself
My habit of procrastinating and waiting until the last minute
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Obsessed with
‘K-dramas’ (Korean dramas)
A moment in time to which you’d like to go back
I’d like to go back to the times I spent with my father
Unlikely food combination
Marmite with rice and curry
Hobbies
Travelling
Watching Netflix
Trying different types of food
Languages you’d like to learn
Mandarin
Tamil
Korean
Three must-haves
iPhone
Makeup pouch
Sunglasses
Likely retirement destination
I haven’t given this much thought but it will most probably be somewhere quiet by the beach
Desirable qualities in friends
Trust – it’s the one thing I look for
Yourself in a few words
I am an ordinary human being who wants to live in the moment and enjoy life to the fullest
FAVOURITES
Days of the week
Sunday, Monday and Friday
Colours
Red, white and peach
Chill out spots
Anywhere that’s quiet and surrounded by nature
Food
Sri Lankan rice and curry
Seafood
Indian
Drinks
Thaembili
Black tea with ginger
EGB
Happy places
Home
Office
Anywhere by the beach
Brands
I’m not particularly brand conscious except for makeup and my ‘go to’ is MAC
Restaurants at which to eat
Any place with tasty food
TV shows
The Voice Teens Sri Lanka
Nadagamkarayo
Actors
Shah Rukh Khan
Tom Cruise
Richard Gere
Musicians
Victor Rathnayake
Bathiya and Santhush
ABBA
Books
The Da Vinci Code – by Dan Brown
Sudu Wadda – by R. L Spittel
If Tomorrow Comes – by Sidney Sheldon
Favourite civil servant
I can’t think of anyone
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
The first thing you notice when meeting someone…
Their attire
The first thing you need when you wake up is…
My phone
Recently laughed out loud when…
I was at a schoolfriend’s outing
Last gift to someone…
A box of white chocolates
I find myself challenged when…
I have to speak in public
The best thing about working
in your company is…
Our purpose – which is to help people live a healthier, longer and better life
You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
I really don’t know until it strikes
A new technology that will transform the future is…
AI
Sri Lanka in a few words…
A beautiful island with kind-hearted people
Children are…
Most precious – and parents must look after them
PICK ONE
Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Night
A leader or follower by nature
Leader
Cook or foodie
Both
Quality or quantity
Quality
The glass is half full or half empty
Half full
The most delightful words you can think of
Thank you
Work or play after retirement
Play
Role model
My father
