Samadhi Weerakoon

In conversation with Dona Senara

Born in
1977

Alma mater
Visakha Vidyalaya

Family members
Husband (Chanaka), son (Mineka), daughter (Vishni) and mother

Wanted to be
A leading academic personality (a professor)

Is (but didn’t want to be)
In the apparel and textile industry

Drives
An Audi A1

Would like to drive
A Range Rover

A moment you would like to go back to
When my kids were born

Best advice received
Earth has music for those who listen

INTIMATE AND INSPIRING

Likes to play
Keyboard

Likes to watch
Thriller movies

Most unforgettable event
The day we saw Pangong Lake in the Himalayas

Purpose in life
My purpose in life is to live it to the fullest by serving humanity and achieve self-actualisation

Most remarkable person
My dad

Role models
My parents

I started the first industrial and academia collaboration in 2011 for a textile company and leading fashion institute

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Mantra to unwind
Coffee and a cookie

Most hated chore
Sewing

Impressed by
Humble intellectuals

Happy place
Home

Hobby
Reading classics

Pet peeves
People who are dishonest, boastful and rude

What you think about when you’re in the car
The day’s to-do list

Items on your bucket list for the next six months
Giving my kids the best education and travelling the world with my family

Three items on the bucket list following retirement
I would love to travel to historical and cultural places in the world – particularly in Europe – and pursue gardening and painting as hobbies

Three must-haves
iPhone, debit card and shades

What you would like to have
A stone mansion facing the picturesque Lake Como

A little-known fact about you
I started the first industrial and academia collaboration in 2011 for a textile company and leading fashion institute

FAVOURITES

Day of the week
Wednesday

Colour
Green

Chill out spot
Nuwara Eliya

Workwear
Blazer and pants

Leisure wear
Leggings and tops

Brands
Intimissimi, Zara and Lululemon

Cuisines
Thai and Mediterranean

Beverage
Espresso

Local holiday destinations
Nuwara Eliya and Galle Fort

International holiday destinations
Florence, Scottish Highlands and Santorini

Restaurants
The Lagoon and The London Grill

Actor
Tom Hanks

Musician
Adele

Author
John Steinbeck

Most loved from the three above
John Steinbeck

Favourite quote
Opportunities don’t simply happen – you need to create them

Favourite international sportsperson
Roger Federer

Favourite local civil servant
Deshamanya Bradman Weerakoon

Obsessed with
Humble intellectuals

Likely retirement destination
The UK

My purpose in life is to live it to the fullest by serving humanity and achieve self-actualisation

COMPLETE THE SENTENCE

When you dance, you look like…
Wednesday Adams

The first thing you notice when meeting someone…
Attire and eye movement

You know it’s going to be a bad day when…
You wake up late

You’re challenged by…
My children with their new ways of thinking

Recently laughed out loud while…
Watching Philomena from Cunk on Earth ridiculing Greek philosophy in an episode

You’re saddened when…
Kids are not well

Love has the power to…
Blind you from reality yet keep life at ease

Happiness is when…
You are convinced that you’ve done something that makes life meaningful for yourself and others

Sri Lanka will have a chance to develop when…
The education system changes to create and foster attitudes and skills among the future generation

The world is…
A mysterious beauty

Message of positivity in these trying times…
Every dark cloud has a silver lining – so be patient

PICK ONE

Most productive in the morning, noon or night
Morning

A hunter or gatherer by nature
Both – but more focussed on gathering

Cook or foodie
Foodie

The most delightful word you can think of
Fashion

You consider yourself a student or teacher…
Both – since their aspects will remain till we leave

A technology that you think will transform the future
Blockchain

Your most used word or phrase
Let’s somehow get this done

Workout preferences
Jogging

Yourself in a few words
Courageous and humble

Motto in life
Do your best and keep smiling

Samadhi Weerakoon is the Senior General Manager – Business Development, Corporate Communications and CSR of Teejay Group.